Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a groundbreaking method to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes by utilizing 'DNA scavengers' in wastewater treatment plants.

Antibiotic resistance remains a critical challenge in modern medicine, largely driven by the misuse and overprescription of antibiotics, which allows bacteria to evolve and adapt.

Wastewater has been identified as a significant environmental reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes, posing risks to human health through water, food, and livestock.

The presence of antibiotic-resistant microbes in wastewater treatment plants is exacerbated by the excretion of resistant bacteria from infected individuals.

Disease-causing bacteria can absorb resistance genes released by dead or damaged bacteria in the environment, further spreading antibiotic resistance.

Future research will focus on testing the enzyme's effectiveness on additional mobile genetic elements and optimizing its application in larger-scale wastewater systems.

The findings of this research were published in the journal Nature Water on August 19, 2024, in collaboration with faculty from the University of Science and Technology of China.

Engineered bacteria have shown the capability to remove over 99% of antibiotic resistance genes from wastewater, highlighting the potential of this approach.

In their study, the researchers added a restriction enzyme to wastewater in concentrated amounts, achieving near-total destruction of four types of mobile genetic elements within four hours.

This restriction enzyme acts like scissors, cutting genetic material into non-functional pieces and effectively neutralizing antibiotic resistance genes.

The research team cultivated the bacteria Shewanella oneidensis to produce a nuclease enzyme, referred to as a 'DNA scavenger,' specifically targeting mobile genetic elements in wastewater.

This innovative treatment method aims to slow the spread of antibiotic resistance and could serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional disinfectants like chlorine.