The effects of small plastic particles on antibiotic resistance gene transfer revealed by single cell and community level analysis.

Small plastic particles with sizes comparable to bacterial cells, widely exist in environment. However, their effects on antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination remain unclear. Using polystyrene (PS) particles (0.

Current examining methods and mathematical models of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment.

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment has garnered significant attention due to their health risk to human beings. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered as an important way for ARG dissemination. There are four general routes of HGT, including conjugation, transformation, transduction and vesiduction.