Development of a Metagenomics-based Method for Improved Detection of Foodborne Pathogens

1. Identify and test the discriminatory power of gene signatures for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) to establish biomarkers that robustly distinguish STEC from innocuous relatives adapted to environmental niches; 2. Establish bioinformatics protocols that enable reliable detection of these biomarkers in produce-associated microbial community through sequence-based, culture-independent diagnostic tests; 3. Apply the developed method to characterize the interactions between produce-associated microbial communities and STECs under pre- and post-harvested conditions.