At the 2024 annual meeting of the NC1170 USDA Multi-state group “Advanced Technologies for the Genetic Improvement of Poultry,” PI Athrey presented findings from one of the ongoing works on antimicrobial resistance in livestock contexts. Held in conjunction with the Plant and Animal Genomes Conference in sunny San Diego, the poultry workshop is a cornerstone event for sharing advancements and fostering collaborations in the field of poultry genomics.
From Germs to Genes: Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance
Athrey’s talk, titled “From germs to genes: antimicrobial resistance in the poultry environment,” highlighted mechanical vectors’ role in harboring and dispersing antimicrobial genes. This presentation shed light on the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its implications for poultry health and food safety. By detailing the outcomes of our ongoing research efforts, Athrey emphasized the multidisciplinary approach needed to tackle this global challenge.
A Collaborative Effort
The research presented is the product of a collaborative effort involving key figures from TAMU, including Dr. Matt Taylor from the Department of Animal Science and Drs. Phil Kaufman and Brandon Lyons from the Department of Entomology. This multidisciplinary team has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of AMR in the poultry environment, combining expertise in microbiology, entomology, and genomics to address a complex problem.
M.S. student Elizabeth Holda, the leading graduate student on this project, has played a pivotal role in this research.