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<ol> <li>Develop methods to detect zoonotic pathogens & assess survival & transport in animal waste, soil, water & air.
<li>Identify exploitable factors, including feed ingredients, transportation & other management practices affecting pathogen survival in animal manure & transport and survival in soil, water & air.
<li>Develop & evaluate methods to reduce pathogen numbers & viability, particularly toxigenic E. coli, Salmonella & Campylobacter & their environmental risk while retaining fertilizer value of animal manure.</ol>
Develop and apply molecular and microbiological methods to identify and monitor transmission of zoonotic pathogens (e.g., E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella) from cattle and/or swine manures to soil, water, air or human food. Methods may include fluorescent antibody, immunomagnetic separation enrichment, fluorescent in situ oligonucleotide hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and culture-based methods for pathogen detection, enumeration, and viability determination. Microbial, environmental, and managerial factors contributing to altered transport or viability of pathogenic species will be evaluated. Current and novel methods to control potential pathogen contamination of animals and waste will be evaluated, in conjunction with nutritionists, animal health specialists, and biological engineers.