Bioinformatic Study of Microbial Genes and Genomes Associated with Exposure to Environmental Drugs

Contamination by emerging drugs in Ecuadorian water and soil represents a critical challenge for public health and biodiversity by promoting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This project addresses the lack of information regarding the ecological dissemination of resistant microorganisms in the country through an interdisciplinary approach combining environmental microbiology, biotechnology, and bioinformatics. The methodology is divided into two phases: first, a bioinformatic analysis of microbial genomes obtained from public databases to identify resistance and drug tolerance profiles; second, the reactivation and genomic characterization of strains previously isolated from Ecuadorian environmental samples. Tools such as FastQC, Trimmomatic, SPADES, Prokka, and RASTtk will be used for genome assembly and functional annotation. Expected results include the identification of specific resistance genes and metabolic pathways for pollutant degradation. This knowledge will lay the foundation for developing bioremediation strategies and new antimicrobial therapies, contributing to sustainable environmental management and the mitigation of health risks associated with multidrug-resistant pathogens in the national environment.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Conduct a bioinformatic study of microbial genes and genomes isolated from Ecuadorian ecosystems to identify mechanisms of resistance to environmental drugs. The project aims to understand bacterial adaptation and propose sustainable biotechnological strategies for decontamination.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Biodiversity and genetic resources