Antimicrobial resistance genes in bioaerosols in Canadian arctic, rural, and urban environments: sources, profiles, transport and fate

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Humans, through many of their activities, have been selecting and amplifying bacteria that carry genes for antibiotic resistance. Bioaerosols are understudied as reservoirs and propagation sources of antibiotic resistant microbes. Bioaerosols are defined by airborne particles of biological origin. They are found everywhere, emitted from natural and man-made sources such as agriculture, water, plants and industrial activities. Air can lead to long distance transmission of biological agents and potential impact of human activities on spreading of antimicrobial resistance through the air must be better understood to fill appropriate risk and prevention models. Various sampling strategies will be deployed across the country to survey and map Canada's air contamination in various sites (urban, rural, arctic) thanks to an international team. Long distance transport and high atmosphere antimicrobial resistance content will be addressed. The samples collected will be used to evaluate health risks and gene transfer potential. In Canada, we have the opportunity to study ARG dissemination on an East-West axis, a North-South axis, as well as on a vertical axis (high troposphere and clouds), including four out of five Koppen climate types (dry, temperate, continental, polar). This project will thus address long-distance transport of ARG through sampling in the Far North of Canada and in the high atmosphere, overseas and through diverses urban and rural activities. The proposed program will fill huge gaps in the understanding of the spreading and exposure of antimicrobial resistance through bioaerosols in Canada. An important outcome will be to add bio aerosols in risk assessment models and develop projects to determine appropriate mitigation and attenuation measure in key areas. This program will generate a cohort of HQP with pioneer experience in ARG and bioaerosol, a unique profile of great value for Canada. This research program has the power to transform, to change paradigms by including the "air" in ARG exposure and risk models and prediction, to develop new research disciplines, to have spin-offs in Canada and internationally by exporting expertise to other man-made and natural activities and describe their ARG contribution.