Darwin Trust PhD Student. Project TitlePersistence and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance in Freshwater Sediment EnvironmentProject DetailsAntibiotics are essential for modern medicine. They reduce mortality and improve the safety and outcomes of surgical procedures and otherwise fatal infections in human populations. In agriculture antibiotics are also extensively used to treat and prevent infections and as growth enhancers. Regrettably, the increased global demand, use and disposal of antibiotics has been accompanied by rapid emergence and pollution of natural and manmade microbial environments with antibiotic resistant bacteria, resistance genes, plasmids, etc. (determinants) and antibiotics compounds. Increasing antibiotic pollution is considered a main driver for the emergence of acquired antibiotic resistance but with limited scientific evidence. In freshwater sediment and aquatic environments, antibiotics have been detected at concentrations below the inhibitory levels determined for single bacterial species ranging from ng/L to μg/L. Antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentrations have been shown to induce mutations in single bacterial species and influence horizontal gene transfer resulting in rapid acquisition of resistance. Consequently, current sub-inhibitory levels of antibiotic pollution in the environment could drive the persistence and selection of ABR genes and alter microbial community composition towards a more resistant state. My project aims to elucidate the fate and effect of current levels of antibiotic pollution on the biogeography and persistence of antibiotic-resistant genes and bacteria in freshwater sediment bacterial communities.Training/BackgroundI obtained my BSc in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana (UHAS). As part of my final year degree requirement, I worked on optimizing metagenomic DNA extraction protocols from chicken stool and assessing the effect of DNA size selection on the recovery of antibiotic resistance genes from chicken stool. I also worked on designing and implementing a rapid workflow for phenotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance plasmidomes from human, animal and environmental samples. My profound interest in antibiotic resistance peaked during my time as an undergraduate student and research assistant at UHAS.Aside from my research interest and academics, I love the great outdoors. In my free time, I like to go for long walks, hikes, picnics and try new food recipes. These past time activities provide genuine balance to my academic/research life.2021 - Present - Darwin Trust PhD Student, University of Edinburgh, UK 2016-2020 - BSc in Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana This article was published on 2025-12-15
