Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to
CHARACTERIZATION OF FOOD-BORNE PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0430548
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
8042-32420-006-04S
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 1, 2016
Project End Date
Jun 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
PATEL J R
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7121430107050%
7121499110050%
Goals / Objectives
The objective is to conduct molecular characterization of shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella spp. with specific emphasis on single and multi-species biofilm formation and genomic and proteomic studies to assess changes in gene expression and pathogenicity. Conduct functional and molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes in food processing environment through proteomics and genomics; and determining virulence differences among L. monocytogenes serotypes through sequencing, gene expression and comparative genomics.
Project Methods
The overall goal of this project is to apply comparative genomic and proteomics to understand single- and multi-species biofilm formation of foodborne pathogens in food processing environment. Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella species, and Listeria monocytogenes will be used in the study. Comparative genomics, proteomics, and phenotypic arrays will be employed to analyze strains of these pathogens to identify genes and proteins required to survive stresses (chemical sanitizers, temperature) encountered in food environments and form biofilms. Comparative genomic and gene expression techniques will be used to assess the virulence profiles of highly pathogenic non-O157 STEC strains and to determine genes responsible for the differences in virulence and stress responses among L. monocytogenes serotypes. The research will expand our knowledge on the survival mechanism(s) of these food-borne pathogens, help in development of effective interventions, and ultimately lead to better control strategies for STEC, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes in fresh produce.