HAP-E@Hutton
The core research group in the Centre for Human and Animal Pathogens in the Environment (HAP-E) at the James Hutton Institute studies the following pathogen-environment systems:
- ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT -
- PRESENCE AND SURVIVAL OF FAECAL INDICATORS AND PATHOGENS
- We consider: prevalence, transmission, source tracking, detection, removal, solutions
- We work on: Drinking water, wastewater, environmental waters, sediment, soil, compost, digestate
- We use: microbiology, molecular biology, genomics, modelling, risk assessment, social science
HAP-E acts as a hub through which we link with associate members from other research institutions and with national and international collaborators to provide a critical mass of knowledge and expertise in the field of environment-associated pathogens. Through shared research platforms, resources, approaches, and ideas, we are able to address key fundamental questions on human and animal pathogens in the environment.
Key questions
- What are the intrinsic biological (genotypic and phenotypic) characteristics influencing bacterial transmission in soil and aquatic systems?
- What role does the environment play in transmission and development of antimicrobial resistance?
- What are the risks to humans and animals from bacteria entering the food chain via the environment?
- What is the likelihood of transmission of human pathogens to crop plants?
- How do microbial emerging contaminants (novel pathogens, AMR) interact with chemical contaminants (e.g. microplastics, pharmaceuticals)?
- How do we address the gaps in our knowledge with respect to AMR and pathogen persistence in the environment?