An In-depth Look at Nanoplastics and Antibiotic Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and plastic pollution are among the top ten emerging global challenges identified by the United Nations Environment Programme, posing significant threats to environmental health. Recent studies suggest that nanoplastics (NPs) can penetrate bacterial cells and potentially enhance horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. However, the mechanisms by which NPs invade bacteria, and the potential for reversing this process, remain unclear. Therefore, the NPLAMR project aims to identify the types of NPs that most contribute to the emergence and spread of ARGs, determine the size threshold of NPs capable of penetrating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and elucidate the mechanisms of NPs invasion and their roles in the propagation of AMR. The project will qualitatively detect NPs in environmental samples and quantitatively assess key NP types, ARG classes, and mobile genetic elements that facilitate the spread of ARGs. Through culture experiments, NPLAMR will determine the size threshold of NPs capable of invading antibiotic-degrading bacteria and evaluate potential hazards by analyzing changes in the resistome, mobilome, and metabolome of these bacteria. Finally, microcosm experiments will co-culture NPs with environmental microbial communities, isolate invaded microbes, and assess their HGT rates to determine which antibiotic-resistant bacteria are most affected by NPs. The cutting-edge metagenomics and bioinformatics facilities at ICRA (the host), along with its specialized expertise, will enable the fellow to become a leading expert in microbial ecology. The project will present its findings in an accessible way to raise public awareness about plastic waste and AMR, thereby increasing attention to environmental health. It will also offer scientific support for developing strategies and policies to address AMR and NPs pollution.