Online project information exchange tool
The EC-funded ASIARESIST project focused on the use of antibiotics in the south east Asian aquaculture industry. The introduction of these antibiotics to the ecosystem could result in the emergence of bacterial species with resistance to the commonly-prescribed antibiotic compounds. Developing ways to monitor the effect of antibiotic usage and assessing the likelihood of the emergence of specific antimicrobial resistant genes among south east Asian fish farms have been the aims of ASIARESIST. In order to realise these aims, and enhancing the communication of information, the project launched a website in the first months. The website, likened essentially to a dissemination tool, comprised two parts, one freely accessible and one restricted to project partners only. The aim was to provide a platform through which information could be exchanged in a two-way direction. Furthermore, the project's website hosts a database as knowledge repository for all the technical and research information that emerges from partner laboratories. It is thought that the online platform has enhanced partner communication within the consortium and it is likely to have improved communication with the general public as well.