Scientists discover antibiotic resistance genes in clouds

The atmosphere is a large-scale dissemination route for bacteria carrying antibiotic-resistance genes. A research team from Université Laval and Université Clermont Auvergne has shown that these genes can be transported by clouds.

To observe this phenomenon, the team sampled clouds at the Puy de Dôme summit, a dormant volcano in France’s Massif Central. At an atmospheric research station perched 1,465 meters above ground, the scientists conducted 12 cloud sampling sessions over two years using high-flow rate “vacuums.”

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