Publishing date: 4 August 2026 Immagine notizia Immagine Paragrafo Research from the University of Insubria takes centre stage in the second episode of «Come acqua comanda», the podcast produced by Alfa and hosted by Giovanni Storti, dedicated to the major environmental and scientific challenges of our time.The episode, entitled «Giù per il tubo: la relazione tra farmaci e inquinamento» ("Down the Drain: The Relationship Between Pharmaceuticals and Pollution"), explores antibiotic resistance—one of the world's most pressing public health emergencies—highlighting the connection between antibiotic use, the environment and the protection of water resources.The guest is Flavia Marinelli, Professor of Fermentation Chemistry and Microbial Biotechnology and Director of the Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences at the University of Insubria. Professor Marinelli has long been engaged in research on new antibiotics and the mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance. She is joined by Daniele Cecconet, Head of Sludge Treatment and Circular Economy at Alfa.In conversation with Giovanni Storti, Professor Marinelli explains how the environment plays a crucial role in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and why scientific research must identify new antimicrobial compounds and innovative strategies to combat a phenomenon that the World Health Organization considers one of the greatest threats to global public health.This topic is at the heart of several research projects at the University of Insubria. In 2025, the research group led by Flavia Marinelli announced the discovery of kineomycin, a promising new glycopeptide antibiotic effective against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria, developed through an international collaboration.https://www.uninsubria.it/ateneo/ci-presentiamo/comunicazione/tutte-le-notizie/scoperto-nei-laboratori-delluniversitaMore recently, the University's Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory joined the Interreg SAI – Salvaguardia Acquae Insubriae project, which also investigates the environmental resistome of the Insubrian lakes to better understand how antibiotic resistance spreads through aquatic ecosystems and to support the development of monitoring and prevention strategies.https://www.uninsubria.it/ateneo/ci-presentiamo/comunicazione/tutte-le-notizie/progetto-interreg-sai-guidato-da-ats-insubriaWith the clear and engaging style that characterises the podcast, Giovanni Storti guides listeners through a complex yet highly relevant topic, showing how scientific research, environmental protection and human health are deeply interconnected.The episode is available on the Alfa Notizie website, on Spotify, and in video format:https://www.alfanotizie.it/https://open.spotify.com/episode/3a0nvd6kgGczSCiMdmlqNZ