Application of genomics and metagenomics to improve food safety based on an enhanced characterisation of antimicrobial resistance

Recent advances on genomics and metagenomics, due to the availability of affordable sequencing technologies and to software developments, have paved the way for the rapid detection and detailed characterisation of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance genes in different compartments of the food chain, which is opening new avenues for monitoring and risk assessment activities aimed at mitigating risks associated with antimicrobial resistance spread. This review article summarises and critically discusses the progress in the last few years and the future prospects in this field.