Aims: To discuss how plasmids and other mobile genetic elements contribute to environmental antimicrobial resistance, and to identify key challenges and future directions for plasmid-focused AMR surveillance.

Background: Plasmids play a central role in the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes. However, their ecology, host range, and contribution to AMR spread in environmental systems remain insufficiently understood.

Workshop Participants and Activity: This workshop is intended for researchers and students interested in environmental AMR, plasmid biology, microbial ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics. The session will include short talks, guided discussion, and breakout activities to identify research priorities and opportunities for collaboration.

Participants will:

Share perspectives on plasmid-mediated AMR in environmental systems
Discuss current methods and challenges in plasmid detection and surveillance
Identify future research priorities and opportunities for collaboration