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Activated sludge is essential for removing contaminants from wastewater, and understanding the diverse microbial communities it harbors has been a significant task. Traditional methods fail to capture the full spectrum of microbial interactions. Due to these limitations, researchers recognized the need for single-cell level investigations to gain deeper insights into microbial heterogeneity.

Led by the University of Hong Kong and published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology on September 19, 2024, the study applied single-cell sequencing to samples from a Hong Kong wastewater plant. This method overcame the constraints of traditional metagenomics, revealing the intricate genetic networks within microbial communities and offering new perspectives on antibiotic resistance gene transfer.

The research team sequenced 15,110 individual microbial cells, classifying them into 2,454 single-amplified genome bins, and discovered that 27.5% represent previously unclassified species. The identification of 1,137 ARGs, along with numerous plasmids and phages, underscored the frequent horizontal gene transfer between species.

Plasmids were found to be instrumental in spreading ARGs, raising concerns over the potential spread of antibiotic resistance. The findings highlight the need for closer monitoring of wastewater systems to prevent public health risks.

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