Objective About 20 million hectares of arable lands are irrigated with wastewaters in the world and almost nothing is known about the presence, evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in these fields, and their possible transmission to humans and animals via the food chain. The proposed project will address that scientific question by using analytical chemistry, flow cytometry, molecular biology, metagenomic approaches, and computational biology, in order to characterise antibiotic resistant bacterial community structures and antibiotic resistance genes in untreated wastewaters and the corresponding irrigated agricultural sites compared to control sites in low and middle income countries, as well as the influence of abiotic factors. The new scientific data arising from this project will help to determine the factors that drive resistance and can be minimized by developing strategies to prevent further spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes worldwide. The fellow, with a strong background in Microbial ecology and Biochemistry, will conduct this project under the supervision of Prof Piddock, a medical microbiologist and expert in antibiotic resistance, at the University of Birmingham. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibioticsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticultureurban horticulturemedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Net EU contribution € 195 454,80 Address Edgbaston B15 2TT Birmingham United Kingdom See on map Region West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 195 454,80