The new era shaped by environmental genome monitoring - symposium of the japanese environmental mutagen and genome society (JEMS), 2024

TL;DR

This symposium explored how environmental genome monitoring can improve public health and biodiversity by integrating mutagenicity research with ecological assessments.

Contribution

The paper emphasizes new interdisciplinary approaches in environmental genome monitoring through collaborative research and emerging genomic technologies.

Findings

Metagenomic analyses are being used to track antibiotic resistance in environmental samples.

Environmental DNA and RNA are enabling noninvasive biodiversity and stress monitoring.

Viral genomic surveillance in wastewater is a key tool for public health safety.

Abstract

The symposium “The New Era Shaped by Environmental Genome Monitoring,” held in December 2024 by the Japanese Environmental Mutagen and Genome Society (JEMS), aimed to explore the interdisciplinary collaborations that are essential for the development of new scopes in environmental genome monitoring. This event highlighted the necessity of integrating mutagenicity research with ecological assessments to enhance public health and biodiversity conservation. Presentations focused on the evolving landscape of environmental genomics, including metagenomic analyses for antibiotic resistance, viral genomic surveillance in wastewater, and innovations in noninvasive biodiversity and stress monitoring through environmental DNA and RNA. This report summarizes the key discussions and presentations from the symposium, underscoring the critical role of environmental genome monitoring in shaping future safety research.