Antibiotic resistance can be passed between bacteria found in the soil, researchers, including one of Indian origin, have found. Researchers from North Carolina State University in the US studied antibiotic resistance and how it can persist and spread among food animals, humans and the environment they all share.Bacteria contain small DNA molecules known as plasmids.<br/><br/>These plasmids are separate from the bacteria's actual DNA, and can pick up and exchange genes between bacteria.