"Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial Communities and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes"

  (in Diverse Urban Settings across Asia-Pacific region)

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of constant preparedness and international collaboration in preventing and responding to infectious diseases. Among the most pressing global health threats are antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, which were responsible for an estimated 4.95 million deaths in 2019 alone. To effectively address this issue, it is essential to understand the current status of antibiotic resistance not only in the human health sector but also in animal and environmental sectors. Humans shed approximately 10^6 particles, many of which likely contain microbes, into their surrounding environment every hour. These particles act as seeds for the surrounding microbiome, which, in turn, significantly impacts human health. As such, the study of environmental microbiomes, particularly in built environments—human-made spaces where people live and work—has gained increasing importance. In response to this growing need, we have recently established an international R&D alliance to monitor potential pathogens using metagenomic analysis of environmental samples collected from several Asian countries, including Korea, Vietnam, China, and Cambodia. Additionally, we are establishing a shared database to facilitate data exchange and collaboration within the alliance. This presentation will explore the advantages of investigating the built environment microbiome as a tool to monitor pathogens and antibiotic resistance in communities, demonstrating the critical role of international partnerships in advancing this work.

* The seminar will be held both offline and online via Zoom  (https://kaist.zoom.us/j/88244379581)
* Inquiry: Prof. Sungmin Son (extension 4345)