710274Development of Universal MultiLocus Sequence Typing diagnosticClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKMethods used routinely for the commercial detection and identification of micro-organisms that cause food spoilage and/or poisoning lack the sophistication of those generally employed for medical testing applications. Molecular approaches are commonly adopted in the medical sector, facilitating the rapid and precise detection of pathogens and their discrimination so as to potentially enable the source(s) of contamination to be located. Through this application we propose to develop techniques for food and drink testing that equal or better those used in academic and clinical laboratories for strain level discrimination of pathogens. We will design, test and evaluate targeted method developments and position the evolution for accreditation, so that food manufacturers and suppliers can benefit. We have already demonstrated there is a need and market for the rapid identification technologies proposed, with the outcomes saving our clients hundreds-of thousands of pounds in litigation costs. To date we have had to develop MLS-Typing methods for individual species at the clients' expense and the approach adopted has offered no versatility to make use of historical datasets, such as RiboPrinter® System libraries. What we propose to achieve with the aid of TSB funding is the development of a single methodological platform that can be applied to a diverse range of micro-organisms and capable of exploiting historical data via the development of a “Rosetta Stone” to facilitate cross-matching of MLS-Typing and RiboPrinting data. Adoption of the new diagnostic approach will enable manufacturers and suppliers to obtain improved information with which to dissect their supply chain, prevent costly product recalls and provide early warning of food- and drink-borne human infectious agents. This new platform will yield not only the ‘gold standard’ for discrimination of microorganisms but also assist appreciation in the marketplace of the power of molecular testing approaches.