Dr. Odd-Gunnar Wikmark

The Research Council of Norway has allocated 12 mnok to a GenØk led project on the impact of marine microplastic associated biofilms on environmental and human health (the MarMib project).

The MarMib project is an ambitious 4-year project aiming at understanding the combined effects of (micro)plastic particles and development and spread of antimicrobial resistant genes and bacteria. Accumulating evidence suggests that plastics may act as a vessel for selecting and spreading antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The MarMib project investigates the combined effects the plastic particles and resistant bacteria have on spread and accumulation of antimicrobial resistant genes, with a particularly focus on human/animal pathogens and on effects on ecological functions in different ecosystems.

Collaborating partners:

Prof. Eiler, University of Oslo, Norway

Prof Grossart, IGB Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany

Prof. Bezuidenhout, North West University, South Africa

Dr. Arias Andrés, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

Dr. Rojas Jimenez, University of Costa Rica

Dr. Strady, Ho Chi Min University of Technology, Vietnam

Prof. Heyward, UiT The Arctic University of Tromsø, Norway

Prof. Kisand, University of Tartu, Estonia.

Project leader is Dr. Odd-Gunnar Wikmark, GenØk – Center for Biosafety