MASTS Webinar: Antimicrobial resistance beyond the clinic: Freshwater biofilms as environmental hotspots

MASTS is pleased to host a webinar with Adam Hocking (University of the West of Scotland): Antimicrobial resistance beyond the clinic: Freshwater biofilms as environmental hotspots

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognised as a major global health challenge, yet much of the focus remains on clinical settings. Freshwater environments receive a range of anthropogenic and geochemical inputs that may influence the persistence and spread of resistance in aquatic microbial communities. Biofilms, which are surface-associated microbial communities found on rocks, sediments, plants and artificial substrates, are increasingly recognised as potential hotspots for AMR due to their dense and interactive microbial populations. This seminar will introduce the emerging field of environmental AMR research, focusing on the role of freshwater biofilms and the environmental pressures that may shape resistance dynamics. Evidence from the literature will be used to explore how stressors such as wastewater pollution, microplastics, and potentially toxic elements can influence resistance-related outcomes. The seminar will conclude with an overview of an ongoing PhD project investigating environmental drivers of AMR within freshwater biofilms.

Adam is a member of the MASTS graduate School.  After the presentation there will be a live Q&A with the speaker. The chair of the webinar is Dr Fiona Henriquez-Mui (University of Strathclyde)