Whole Genome Sequencing

Minnesota State Dept Of Health, St. Paul MN

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The FDA?s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) has created the first integrated network of state and federal laboratories (Genome Trackr) to use whole genome sequencing to track foodborne pathogens to improve outbreak response and effective monitoring of preventative controls. The Genome Trackr network has created a publically available, global database containing the genetic makeup of thousands of foodborne disease causing organisms. This project is intended to develop a stronger international rapid surveillance system for pathogen traceback by further enhancing the Genome Trackr network and the growing database. The accurate and timely subtyping and subsequent clustering of isolates of a bacterium associated with a foodborne outbreak event is essential for successful investigation and eventual trackback to a specific food or environmental source. The genomic information provided by the Genome Trackr network points investigators to specific food products potentially related to an outbreak, and provides insight into the origin of the contaminated food. This project will promote public health and state agricultural laboratories sequence pathogenic foodborne bacterium to be added to the on-line database. The local laboratories will be required to sequence a minimum of 400 food, environmental or animal isolates to be added to the database to identify future outbreaks. The local laboratories will also be required to participate in Genome Trackr in a standard process requiring consistency of the sequencing and analysis while also participating in meetings, conferences and proficiency tests to ensure standardization between laboratories.