The public discussion took place for the Doctoral student (Hikmat Ahmed Awaid) at Anbar University, College of Science, Department of Biology, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Ibn Sina Hall, for his tagged thesis

" Characterization of Genome Editing Technology / CRISPR Cas 9 system in Resensitizing of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Bacteriological and Molecular Facts "

The discussion committee consisted of:

 This study investigated the prevalence of CRISPR/Cas systems in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospitals in Ramadi, Iraq . Using PCR and VITEK®2 analysis, 350 isolates were tested for antibiotic resistance, revealing high rates of ESBL production (71% in K. pneumoniae and 42% in P. aeruginosa) and significant MDR, XDR, and PDR profiles. CRISPR/Cas elements were detected in 38% of K. pneumoniae isolates but only 6% of P. aeruginosa, suggesting a negative correlation with antibiotic resistance. Whole genome sequencing identified alarming resistance genes, including NDM-5 and blaOXA-181 in K. pneumoniae, and KPC-2 and NDM-1 in P. aeruginosa. Phylogenetic analysis linked PDR K. pneumoniae strains to UK origins and XDR strains to China, while PDR P. aeruginosa strains were related to Kazakhstan. Notably, a rare GES-type ESBL gene was found in XDR-PA-2 for the first time in Iraq. Findings highlight the critical role of CRISPR/Cas systems in regulating resistance and the urgent need for genomic surveillance to guide treatment strategies and contain the spread of resistant pathogens.