Project 03: Molecular characterization of Microplastic-Associated Bacteria and the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance genes in Kandy Lake.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a prevalent environmental pollutant, serving as a unique habitat for microbial colonization and forming complex communities. This study investigates microplastic-associated bacteria as a potential pathway for the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the urban Kandy Lake. Using a combination of advanced analytical and molecular techniques, including RAMAN spectroscopy, metagenomics, and quantitative PCR (qPCR), the research aims to characterize different types of MPs in water reservoirs, characterize microplastic-associated bacterial communities and to evaluate the public health risks associated with this environmental phenomenon.