Discover: Weber discusses spread of antibiotic-resistant genes

Release Date: February 15, 2008 This content is archived.

Print

An article in Discover magazine on DNA pollution that is believed to be transforming some bacteria into antibiotic-resistant "supergerms" quotes Scott Weber, professor and chair of civil, structural and environmental engineering and executive director of the Center for Integrated Waste Management, who is studying how fertilizer derived from human sewage may contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes. "We've done a good job designing out treatment plants to reduce conventional contaminants. Unfortunately, no one has been thinking of DNA as a contaminant," he said.

Media Contact Information

John Della Contrada
Vice President for University Communications
521 Capen Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Tel: 716-645-4094 (mobile: 716-361-3006)
dellacon@buffalo.edu
Twitter: UBNewsSource