The project is aimed at obtaining faster and more
cost-effective ways to screen foods for the Listeria
pathogen
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has
partnered with two other organizations to support a $1.4m genomics research
project to eliminate Listeria monocytogenes
from the food supply chain.
The CFIA, with Genome Canada and Alberta Innovates Bio
Solutions, will sequence and map the genomes of Listeria strains to identify those strains that are likely to be
most harmful to human health as well as those most likely to survive in food
processing facilities.
The project, led by Dr. Linda Chui of the University
of Alberta, will lead to faster and more cost-effective ways to screen food for
the Listeria bacteria and bolster
food safety for Canadians.
Listeria
genome database: Through this joint research effort, a database of
Listeria genome sequences will be developed and genetic markers identified. These
markers will be used to spot harmful Listeria
strains in foods and food processing facilities. “The strength of our project
is in the world-class expertise of the research team and the support of many distinguished
organizations from across Canada," said Dr Chui.
"The different researchers on the team bring
leading-edge expertise in many areas including food sample preparation, assays
development, state-of-the art capacity in bioinformatics and genomics, pathogen
detection and outbreak response."
Supporting
investment: Dr. Chui's 18-month research project is supported
through an investment of $250,000 each from Genome Canada (via Genome Alberta)
and the CFIA, and $100,000 from Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions. It is also
being leveraged through co-funding from federal, provincial, academic and
industry partners, including
Maple Leaf
Foods: "Genomics research such as this is equipping us
with new, effective ways to combat threats to food safety,” said Pierre
Meulien, President and CEO of Genome Canada. “The impact this research will
have on averting potential outbreaks and the consequences for Canadian families
and industry are tremendous."
Dr. Stan Blade, chief executive officer of Alberta
Innovates Bio Solutions, said: "New Listeria
detection tests that produce results quickly will allow food producers and
regulators to act swiftly and provides assurance of an even higher level of
food safety for Canadians.
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario