MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT ECOLOGY OF COMMENSAL HUMAN FOOD-BORNE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN THE CHICKEN

1. Complete the molecular characterization of selected isolates of the pathogens Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens from poultry, utilizing repetitive-sequence PCR. Make a comparison regarding cost and efficiency of identification with other methods of differentiating bacteria, such as, multi-locus sequence analysis or pulsed-field gel. 2. Identify host and pathogen genes important to colonization and/or toxin formation by Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium perfringens in poultry, and monitor host and pathogen gene expression by RNA microarray analysis. Complete comparative genomic analyses between robust and poor colonizers to identify gene targets that could be disrupted to decrease pathogen presence in the gut environment. 3. Qualitatively and quantitatively identify and compare selected microbial populations in the chicken gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts and in the internal organs of healthy and of diseased birds. Use biophotonics models where appropriate, and develop approaches for processing biofilms to provide for quantitative measurement of bacterial populations in situ.