Uli Klümper
@ulikluemper.bsky.social
Microbial Ecologist @ TU Dresden
Focusing on Evolution, Ecology and Environmental dimensions of AMR & plasmids
Formerly @ DTU & UoExeter
He/him
Focusing on Evolution, Ecology and Environmental dimensions of AMR & plasmids
Formerly @ DTU & UoExeter
He/him
Having a great time at the 6th Meeting of Bergey’s Society for Microbial Systematics #BISMiS in Qingdao, China.
Thanks to the organizers for inviting me to give a talk on how we can infer pathogenicity and #AMR in environmental microbial communities based on their taxonomic makeup.
Thanks to the organizers for inviting me to give a talk on how we can infer pathogenicity and #AMR in environmental microbial communities based on their taxonomic makeup.
October 19, 2025 at 2:47 AM
In-person participation for the workshop (free of charge) is limited to 40 places and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, send an email to uli.kluemper@tu-dresden.de indicating your interest in attending.
3/3
3/3
September 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In-person participation for the workshop (free of charge) is limited to 40 places and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, send an email to uli.kluemper@tu-dresden.de indicating your interest in attending.
3/3
3/3
As part of our new EU Project “One Bridge”, led by the University of Patras, we are organizing an 'AMR & #OneHealth Workshop in Dresden, Germany on the 6th of October 2025. The workshop will take place at BUSINESSPARK DRESDEN, Bertolt-Brecht-Allee 22-24, 01309 Dresden from 8:30 – 17:00.
2/3
2/3
September 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
As part of our new EU Project “One Bridge”, led by the University of Patras, we are organizing an 'AMR & #OneHealth Workshop in Dresden, Germany on the 6th of October 2025. The workshop will take place at BUSINESSPARK DRESDEN, Bertolt-Brecht-Allee 22-24, 01309 Dresden from 8:30 – 17:00.
2/3
2/3
Nearly half of the enriched potential pathogens (e.g., Aeromonas, Vibrio, Citrobacter) carried ARGs identical to those on plasmids, showing strong plasmid–chromosome links for resistance spread.
6/8
6/8
September 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Nearly half of the enriched potential pathogens (e.g., Aeromonas, Vibrio, Citrobacter) carried ARGs identical to those on plasmids, showing strong plasmid–chromosome links for resistance spread.
6/8
6/8
Resistance genes weren’t just more abundant, they were also more mobile! Integrons, transposons (carrying floR), and diverse plasmids persisted after withdrawal, keeping ARGs ready for transfer.
5/8
5/8
September 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Resistance genes weren’t just more abundant, they were also more mobile! Integrons, transposons (carrying floR), and diverse plasmids persisted after withdrawal, keeping ARGs ready for transfer.
5/8
5/8
ARG abundance spiked up to 17× during treatment. It dropped after stopping antibiotics but stayed significantly above control levels even long past the 15-day withdrawal time required for residue compliance.
4/8
4/8
September 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
ARG abundance spiked up to 17× during treatment. It dropped after stopping antibiotics but stayed significantly above control levels even long past the 15-day withdrawal time required for residue compliance.
4/8
4/8
We simulated standard (5 & 10 days) and prolonged (30 & 90 days) florfenicol treatments in common carp and tracked gut microbiota, ARGs, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) before, during, and after treatment.
3/8
3/8
September 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
We simulated standard (5 & 10 days) and prolonged (30 & 90 days) florfenicol treatments in common carp and tracked gut microbiota, ARGs, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) before, during, and after treatment.
3/8
3/8
We argue that, in addition to quantification, assessing which and what proportion of ARGs can move via MGEs is key for predicting environmental #AMR risks. We outline tools, from ddPCR linkage to hybrid metagenomics, to make this part of routine monitoring and integrate it into QMRA.
2/3
2/3
September 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
We argue that, in addition to quantification, assessing which and what proportion of ARGs can move via MGEs is key for predicting environmental #AMR risks. We outline tools, from ddPCR linkage to hybrid metagenomics, to make this part of routine monitoring and integrate it into QMRA.
2/3
2/3
Next, we created a probabilistic model of resistance cost distributions. Instead of a fixed “/10” factor, we now use a probabilistic cost tied to a chosen protection level.
Example: To protect against selection for 95% of resistances, you’d use ~1/250 of MIClowest (25x lower than before).
7/9
Example: To protect against selection for 95% of resistances, you’d use ~1/250 of MIClowest (25x lower than before).
7/9
August 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Next, we created a probabilistic model of resistance cost distributions. Instead of a fixed “/10” factor, we now use a probabilistic cost tied to a chosen protection level.
Example: To protect against selection for 95% of resistances, you’d use ~1/250 of MIClowest (25x lower than before).
7/9
Example: To protect against selection for 95% of resistances, you’d use ~1/250 of MIClowest (25x lower than before).
7/9
Next, we used published data to map the global distribution of plasmid-borne resistance costs. Plasmid borne resistance is the most worrying type, because plasmids spread ARGs fast across species and surprisingly cheaper on average than chromosomal resistance costs.
6/9
6/9
August 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Next, we used published data to map the global distribution of plasmid-borne resistance costs. Plasmid borne resistance is the most worrying type, because plasmids spread ARGs fast across species and surprisingly cheaper on average than chromosomal resistance costs.
6/9
6/9
We tested it:
26 strain–antibiotic pairs
13 antibiotics, 3 model bacteria, plasmid & chromosomal resistance
➡ 66% of predicted MSCs were within a factor of 2 of experimental values!
5/9
26 strain–antibiotic pairs
13 antibiotics, 3 model bacteria, plasmid & chromosomal resistance
➡ 66% of predicted MSCs were within a factor of 2 of experimental values!
5/9
August 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We tested it:
26 strain–antibiotic pairs
13 antibiotics, 3 model bacteria, plasmid & chromosomal resistance
➡ 66% of predicted MSCs were within a factor of 2 of experimental values!
5/9
26 strain–antibiotic pairs
13 antibiotics, 3 model bacteria, plasmid & chromosomal resistance
➡ 66% of predicted MSCs were within a factor of 2 of experimental values!
5/9
Our approach:
We link the minimum selective concentration (MSC) directly to the fitness cost of resistance.
For most high-level resistances (f=MICres/MICsus > 20),
MSC ≈ MIC × cost of resistance
✅ Simple
✅ Based on real evolutionary biology
4/9
We link the minimum selective concentration (MSC) directly to the fitness cost of resistance.
For most high-level resistances (f=MICres/MICsus > 20),
MSC ≈ MIC × cost of resistance
✅ Simple
✅ Based on real evolutionary biology
4/9
August 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Our approach:
We link the minimum selective concentration (MSC) directly to the fitness cost of resistance.
For most high-level resistances (f=MICres/MICsus > 20),
MSC ≈ MIC × cost of resistance
✅ Simple
✅ Based on real evolutionary biology
4/9
We link the minimum selective concentration (MSC) directly to the fitness cost of resistance.
For most high-level resistances (f=MICres/MICsus > 20),
MSC ≈ MIC × cost of resistance
✅ Simple
✅ Based on real evolutionary biology
4/9
🧬🦠💊
🚨NEW COLLECTION LAUNCH🚨
I'm editing a new collection in npj Antimicrobials & Resistance:
"Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Environmental AMR"
Calling for submissions on environmental HGT, selection, invasion, mutation & more
Open till Apr 26
www.nature.com/collections/...
🚨NEW COLLECTION LAUNCH🚨
I'm editing a new collection in npj Antimicrobials & Resistance:
"Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Environmental AMR"
Calling for submissions on environmental HGT, selection, invasion, mutation & more
Open till Apr 26
www.nature.com/collections/...
August 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🧬🦠💊
🚨NEW COLLECTION LAUNCH🚨
I'm editing a new collection in npj Antimicrobials & Resistance:
"Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Environmental AMR"
Calling for submissions on environmental HGT, selection, invasion, mutation & more
Open till Apr 26
www.nature.com/collections/...
🚨NEW COLLECTION LAUNCH🚨
I'm editing a new collection in npj Antimicrobials & Resistance:
"Ecological and Evolutionary Drivers of Environmental AMR"
Calling for submissions on environmental HGT, selection, invasion, mutation & more
Open till Apr 26
www.nature.com/collections/...
Come to our conference:
International One Health Symposium 2025
Date: October 13th - 15th, 2025 in Berlin Germany.
Organized by the German @onehealthplatform.bsky.social
Registration and Abstract submission are open.
evis.events/event/571/
International One Health Symposium 2025
Date: October 13th - 15th, 2025 in Berlin Germany.
Organized by the German @onehealthplatform.bsky.social
Registration and Abstract submission are open.
evis.events/event/571/
April 29, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Come to our conference:
International One Health Symposium 2025
Date: October 13th - 15th, 2025 in Berlin Germany.
Organized by the German @onehealthplatform.bsky.social
Registration and Abstract submission are open.
evis.events/event/571/
International One Health Symposium 2025
Date: October 13th - 15th, 2025 in Berlin Germany.
Organized by the German @onehealthplatform.bsky.social
Registration and Abstract submission are open.
evis.events/event/571/
Cool new study showing the extent of exposure to #AMR E. coli. More than 1 million coastal bathing events annually involved the ingestion of E. coli-borne ARGs in Hong Kong alone.
by A. Leonard et al. (@uniofexeteresi.bsky.social; @ecehh.bsky.social) in EnvPol
doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
by A. Leonard et al. (@uniofexeteresi.bsky.social; @ecehh.bsky.social) in EnvPol
doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
March 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Cool new study showing the extent of exposure to #AMR E. coli. More than 1 million coastal bathing events annually involved the ingestion of E. coli-borne ARGs in Hong Kong alone.
by A. Leonard et al. (@uniofexeteresi.bsky.social; @ecehh.bsky.social) in EnvPol
doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
by A. Leonard et al. (@uniofexeteresi.bsky.social; @ecehh.bsky.social) in EnvPol
doi.org/10.1016/j.en...
The dangerous microbes colonizing these filters can then hitchhike on the filters to novel habitats including places at the direct interface with children or wildlife (e.g., beaches) that are at risk through contact of ingestion of cigarette butts.
8/9
8/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The dangerous microbes colonizing these filters can then hitchhike on the filters to novel habitats including places at the direct interface with children or wildlife (e.g., beaches) that are at risk through contact of ingestion of cigarette butts.
8/9
8/9
Used (vs. unused control filters) submerged in a stream for a month were colonized by distinct communities enriched in potentially pathogenic bugs and #AMR bacteria, as these are particularly adapted to the adverse conditions on the filters.
7/9
7/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Used (vs. unused control filters) submerged in a stream for a month were colonized by distinct communities enriched in potentially pathogenic bugs and #AMR bacteria, as these are particularly adapted to the adverse conditions on the filters.
7/9
7/9
Finally we investigated what happens to cigarette filters, that contain a majority of the toxic substances found in cigarette smoke, and are an an emerging environmental pollutant when they enter aquatic environments.
6/9
6/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Finally we investigated what happens to cigarette filters, that contain a majority of the toxic substances found in cigarette smoke, and are an an emerging environmental pollutant when they enter aquatic environments.
6/9
6/9
Similar effects on plasmid transfer and stress response were observed for the leachate of cigarette ash containing toxic compounds that could enter diverse environments, if ash is discarded.
5/9
5/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Similar effects on plasmid transfer and stress response were observed for the leachate of cigarette ash containing toxic compounds that could enter diverse environments, if ash is discarded.
5/9
5/9
We show that already the consumption of an equivalent of 5-15 cigarettes/day can lead to toxic concentrations in the lung that cause a stress response in bacteria resulting in higher #AMR plasmid transfer rates -> lower effectiveness of administered antibiotics in case of future lung infections
4/9
4/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
We show that already the consumption of an equivalent of 5-15 cigarettes/day can lead to toxic concentrations in the lung that cause a stress response in bacteria resulting in higher #AMR plasmid transfer rates -> lower effectiveness of administered antibiotics in case of future lung infections
4/9
4/9
We then performed plasmid transfer experiments using Pseudomonas hosting a multidrug-resistance plasmid in this lung sputum medium enriched with different concentrations of cigarette smoke-derived toxicants.
3/9
3/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
We then performed plasmid transfer experiments using Pseudomonas hosting a multidrug-resistance plasmid in this lung sputum medium enriched with different concentrations of cigarette smoke-derived toxicants.
3/9
3/9
To first study the effects of cigarette smoke on the spread of #AMR in the human lung we first created a simple laboratory smoking robot with smoke being led through a glass bottle filled with artificial lung sputum medium while allowing to collect cigarette ash and used filters.
2/9
2/9
March 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
To first study the effects of cigarette smoke on the spread of #AMR in the human lung we first created a simple laboratory smoking robot with smoke being led through a glass bottle filled with artificial lung sputum medium while allowing to collect cigarette ash and used filters.
2/9
2/9
I had great fun presenting our work on „Impact of T4SS on the environmental spread of plasmids and antimicrobial resistance“ in a keynote lecture at the international T4SS conference in Nancy.
Thanks to the organisers for the invite and the fancy conference gala dinner in Nancy City Hall.
#AMR
Thanks to the organisers for the invite and the fancy conference gala dinner in Nancy City Hall.
#AMR
February 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I had great fun presenting our work on „Impact of T4SS on the environmental spread of plasmids and antimicrobial resistance“ in a keynote lecture at the international T4SS conference in Nancy.
Thanks to the organisers for the invite and the fancy conference gala dinner in Nancy City Hall.
#AMR
Thanks to the organisers for the invite and the fancy conference gala dinner in Nancy City Hall.
#AMR
Happy to be at the “International Conference of Type IV secretion systems” in Nancy, France this week organized by Badreddin Douzi and Nicolas Soler
Looking forward to a few days of science, discussions and fun.
#T4SS2025
Looking forward to a few days of science, discussions and fun.
#T4SS2025
February 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Happy to be at the “International Conference of Type IV secretion systems” in Nancy, France this week organized by Badreddin Douzi and Nicolas Soler
Looking forward to a few days of science, discussions and fun.
#T4SS2025
Looking forward to a few days of science, discussions and fun.
#T4SS2025
3/7 🧬 Degradation experiments with Aurelia aurita & Mnemiopsis leidyi jellyfish debris resulted distinct marine microbial degrader consortia compared to the surrounding water with increases in the relative abundance of ARGs by up to 4x and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) by up to 10x. #AMR #Oceans
February 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM