A study of Northwestern University (NU) found that bacteria living in household dust can spread antibiotic resistance genes and the researchers believe these genes could potentially spread to pathogens making infections more difficult to treat. Bacteria can share many different types of genes as long as the genes have mobile segments of DNA. NU researchers were the first to find that antibiotic resistance genes in dust microbes have mobile capabilities the Xinhua news agency reported. We observed living bacteria have transferable antibiotic resistance genes said Erica Hartmann an assistant professor of environmental engineering in NU's McCormick School of Engineering. Although