Ecosystem on Chip to Unravel Propagation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Soil

Soil bacteria form intricate networks vital for ecosystem function, able to propagate resistant genes among each others including antibiotic-resistant genes (ARG). Understanding the intricate interplay between soil bacteria and ARG propagation is essential for safeguarding environmental and human health. The lack of spatiotemporal resolution in current methodologies hinders our ability to grasp the full extent of ARG dissemination. By employing a novel chip-based sampling and linking it to a microfluidics system, we can observe ARG dynamics in real-time within the complex soil matrix and its bacterial communities. This innovative provides a comprehensive understanding of ARG distribution and abundance. With insights gained from this research, we can devise targeted mitigation strategies to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance in soil ecosystems, as well as reconsidering our methodologies to study ecosystem dynamics, element cycling and ecosystem recovery.