Bioluminescence as a tool for the detection and evaluation of pathogen contamination of food

The proposed program will focus on improving the detection of problematic foodborne pathogens to both allow increased surveillance and reduced times for detection. The program will also use bioluminescence as a tool to evaluate parameters associated with fresh produce contamination as well as parameters affecting attachment and shedding of E. coli and Salmonella associated with meat production.Construction/isolation of a battery of genetically modified lysogenic bacteriophage for the detection of E. coli STEC strains O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:NM, O121:H19, O45:H2, O145:NM, Campylobacter spp. including C. jejuni and C. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and problematic Salmonella serovars and development of selective enrichment protocols.Use previously developed bioluminescent strains of the relevant foodborne pathogens Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli STEC strains, and Listeria monocytogenes to examine key parameters associated with produce contamination.Use of bioluminescent Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains and Salmonella spp. to examine physiological conditions affecting the colonization of porcine and bovine intestinal tracts.