Sampling the Antibiotic Resistome
Abstract
Microbial resistance to antibiotics currently spans all known classes of natural and synthetic compounds. It has not only hindered our treatment of infections but also dramatically reshaped drug discovery, yet its origins have not been systematically studied. Soil-dwelling bacteria produce and encounter a myriad of antibiotics, evolving corresponding sensing and evading strategies. They are a reservoir of resistance determinants that can be mobilized into the microbial community. Study of this reservoir could provide an early warning system for future clinically relevant antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
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- Authors
- D'Costa, V. M., McGrann, K. M., Hughes, D. W., & Wright, G. D.
- Affiliations
- Antimicrobial Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, L8N 3Z5.
- McMaster University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Wright, Gerard D.
- ORCID
- Wright, Gerard D.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2006-01-20
- Volume
- 311
- Issue
- 5759
- Pages
- 374-377
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2166801599
- Cited by
- 1,594
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 39 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 71 · 2023: 78 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 129 · 2020: 97 · 2019: 100 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 77 · 2016: 90 · 2015: 75 · 2014: 85 · 2013: 87 · 2012: 80
- FWCI
- 38.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Keywords
- antibiotic resistome, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, soil bacteria, resistance determinants, horizontal gene transfer, antibiotic biosynthesis, microbial communities, drug discovery
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Bacterial Agents, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Genes, Bacterial, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutation, Rifampin, Soil Microbiology, Streptomyces, Trimethoprim Resistance, Virginiamycin, Daptomycin, Macrolides, Amino Acid Substitution, Vancomycin Resistance, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial, Ketolides
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