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<OL> <LI> Role of atmospheric temperature, temperature fluctuations and relative humidity on the expression of the virulence factors of E. coli O157:H7 <LI>Study the interaction of E. coli O157:H7 with leafy vegetables (spinach/lettuce), alfalfa (sprouts and seed coat), tomato in controlled environment <LI>Study the role of physiological status of plant on enhancing or limiting food-borne pathogen attachment and internalization<LI>Study how the compositions of soil influence the survivability and transmission of food-borne pathogen to food crops
Non-Technical Summary: Various disease causing microbes which are normally present in warm blooded animals may be found in plants. The appearance of such microbes in plant and eventually their survival may depend on several environmental factors. In the current proposal, we plan to investigate how different environmental factors such as temperature, temperature fluctuations, relative humidity, and soil compositions, may contribute to the appearance of animal-origin microbes in plant body. <P> Approach: In this proposal, we will adopt a holistic or systems approach to study how some of the human pathogens survive and interact with the plants. Studies will focus to elucidate the interplay between physical or environmental factors (such as temperature, temperature fluctuations, relative humidity, and soil compositions) and the expression of the pathogenic determinants (virulence genes) of selected human pathogens of zoonotic origin, such as E. coli O157:H7. Our hypothesis is that these physical or environmental factors will modulate the expression of virulence genes, which will eventually result in changes in adhesion and/or internalization of these pathogens to plants.