The MOMOBIO project is developing detailed, mostly ‘omics’-based datasets and ecological models to continuously monitor and predict urban microbiota. Focusing on the changes in their biodiversity and resistance profiles along the wastewater streams of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg and urban surface waters. Our main goal is to use changes in microbial biodiversity as an indirect measure of human and animal health (One Health concept).

The MOMOBIO-2 joint project is being carried out in close cooperation with all relevant partners involved in water and wastewater management in the City of Hamburg. Collaboration partners include independent research teams from the University of Hamburg (UHH), the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), the local water supplier HAMBURG WASSER (HW), the Institute for Hygiene and Environment of the FHH (HU), and Life Science Nord (LSN). Relevant data from the large-scale Hamburg Health City Study (HCHS) will be implemented in a cooperative effort.

What is the goal?

The primary objective of MOMOBIO-2 is to investigate changes in bacterial biodiversity by analyzing wastewater and surface waters in and around Hamburg, as well as their impact on public health. Particular attention is paid to the effects of the occurrence and spread of antibiotic and biocide resistance genes from various wastewater dischargers throughout the city on the spatial distribution of these genetic elements in microbial communities along the entire water cycle. For this purpose, surface water and wastewater are collected at several sampling points throughout the urban water cycle of the city of Hamburg. DNA or RNA is extracted from the samples and sequenced to obtain metagenome and transcriptome data.

This approach allows for the assessment of microbial diversity and provides insights into the spread of bacterial resistance mechanisms. The sequence data obtained is examined for the presence and frequency of the following genes: antibiotic resistance, plastic degradation genes (PET, PA), important pathogenicity factors and viral (phage) genomes. Established Hidden Markov Model (HMM) searches are performed to identify the above-mentioned target genes. The data will provide information on the spread of pathogens and their negative effects on human health. Furthermore, the data collected as part of the joint project will be used to develop models for predicting changes in water quality and microbiological diversity.

Milestones of the MOMOBIO-2 project

Based on large metagenomic datasets, models for human and animal health will be created to identify specific parameters that are involved in the spread of antibiotic resistances and the microbial degradation of microplastics (e.g., PET) in the Hamburg metropolitan area. This will provide comprehensive and continuous insights into the movements and spread of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, microplastics, and other parameters in Hamburg's waters, and reveal their impact on biodiversity.

The data obtained as part of the project, together with the newly developed models, will help politicians and business leaders make decisions to improve and preserve biological diversity in water bodies and take appropriate measures to maintain water quality, thereby contributing to human and animal health.