The research is based on a unique series of spectroscopic observations conducted over a period of 16 years.Continue reading
Tamás Székely, a professor at the University of Debrecen (DE), is spearheading groundbreaking research on how migratory birds contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This innovative project, supported by the HU-rizont international cooperation program, promises to deepen our understanding of global disease transmission.
The research builds on earlier findings that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more prevalent in birds living near human settlements than in semi-natural habitats. Prof. Székely, collaborating with bacteriologist Prof. Samuel Sheppard from the University of Oxford, published these results in Current Biology.
Our HU-rizont project will bring together the disciplines of ecology and microbiology, which is very exciting,” the Hungarian scientist noted, highlighting the unique interdisciplinary approach.
The study aims to address the critical gap in understanding how bacterial resistance spreads across ecosystems.
Prof. Tamás Székely. Photo: Wikipedia
The significance of these findings cannot be overstated. By tracking bacterial movement through migratory birds, the research may offer insights into the spread of diseases like avian influenza (commonly known as “bird flu”).
This is quite a scientific challenge, but the results could be significant,” Tamás Székely explained, emphasizing the potential implications for public health.
Shorebirds, in particular, are of interest due to their ability to spread diseases across continents.
In this first-of-its-kind effort, researchers plan to track shorebirds from their Scandinavian nesting sites through Hungary, and into Africa. Birds will be tagged, and bacterial samples will be collected along their migration routes to understand how and where bacteria are transported.
The two-year project, starting in January, has secured funding of HUF 400M (EUR 1.04M) and will involve experts from DE, alongside scientists from the universities of Oxford, Freiburg, and Zurich.
“Samuel Sheppard excels in laboratory work, while I prefer fieldwork,” Prof. Székely remarked, emphasizing the complementarity of their expertise. This international collaboration is poised to deliver insights with far-reaching impacts on disease control and ecological health.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay