The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative made up of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and design.
In 2013, a project was launched called PathoMap. The primary goal was to study the microbiome of an urban, metropolitan environment, which was New York City, USA.
The success of the project led to the creation of the Metagenomics and Metadesign of Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium in 2015.
By developing and testing standards for the field and optimizing methods for urban sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization, the MetaSUB consortium is pioneering an unprecedented study of urban mass-transit systems and cities around the world.
These data will benefit city planners, public health officials, and designers, as well as discovery new species, biological systems, and biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), thus enabling an era of more quantified, responsive, and “smarter cities.”
For more information, please click here.
Since 2017, the Aerosol Science Team have been coordinating the annual sampling day in London.
Publication: A global metagenomic map of urban microbiomes and antimicrobial resistance.
Social media
Keep up to date by following us on our social channels
Twitter: ERGImperial | YouTube: Environmental Research Group
