Thursday, November 21, 2013

Campylobacter Genome Mapping to Reduce Foodborne Infection

http://www.foodqualitynews.com/var/plain_site/storage/images/publications/food-beverage-nutrition/foodqualitynews.com/innovation/campylobacter-genome-mapping-to-reduce-foodborne-infection/8562369-2-eng-GB/Campylobacter-genome-mapping-to-reduce-foodborne-infection_strict_xxl.jpg


New information has been found that might help reduce the amount of food borne infection from Camplyobacter. Thanks to the genome map (pictured above), scientists can now investigate gene expression  in relation to environment and Camplylobacter's ability to evolve and become problematic in the food chain. Using RNA sequencing and 454 sequencing techniques, scientists can identify what the most likely cause of the success rate of pathogens in food chains as well as identify why they are so successful in various hosts.

This research can definitely be extremely beneficial. The first step of stopping something is identifying what is causing the problem. With this genome map, scientists can now begin working on a way to stop pathogens from infecting other things and giving food plants some sort of resistance. Naturally the pathogens will evolve to adapt, but as long as genome mapping is possible, so is the possibility of engineering something to fight against infection.

Additional information on Campylobacter: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs255/en/

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