Microbial ecology and metagenomics of a foodborne pathogen

Lead Research Organisation: University of East Anglia
Department Name: Postgraduate Research Service

Abstract

Campylobacter is the commonest bacterial cause of diarrhoeal disease in the UK, where is it most often associated with the consumption of poultry, and amongst the top five causes of diarrhoeal disease in low and middle-income countries, where transmission routes are unclear. The detection of Campylobacter is challenging as it is difficult to grow in the laboratory, suggesting an important role of the microbial communities in which Campylobacter thrives - in laboratory conditions it is grown as a pure culture. Metagenome, culture independent, sequencing of samples where Campylobacter is found, offers an approach which can be used to examine the interaction between Campylobacter and the total microbial diversity of a sample.

This multidisciplinary project will examine the microbial communities associated with both the presence and absence of Campylobacter on chicken. This may suggest novel mechanisms to reduce the survival of Campylobacter in the food chain. This project will include both wet lab and dry lab components; culturing for the diversity of Campylobacter, exploring competitive exclusion of Campylobacter, and whole genome and metagenome sequencing and analysis.

Publications

10 25 50

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
BB/T008717/1 30/09/2020 29/09/2028
2445272 Studentship BB/T008717/1 30/09/2020 29/09/2024
 
Description Engagement with Government - UKHSA 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The knowledge exchange of this meeting has informed the UKHSA on Campylobacter trends and diversity in food and human samples, along with metagenomic approaches to clinical specimens. This has influenced the research and validation UKHSA are considering in these areas.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Engagement with Industry - KraftHeinz 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This was a group discussion with the global Microbiology lead at KraftHeinz.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Engagement with Industry Cranswick Foods) - discussion session 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This was an opportunity to discuss potential collaborations with Industry and share research findings that may be beneficial in food production.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Engagement with Visiting Scientists from Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Scientists from Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory visited the institute, listened to talks and engaged in discussions about food safety monitoring.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Engagement with project collaborators 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Knowledge exchange of Quadram Institute research highlights and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital/Eastern Pathology Alliance lab updates
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research 6th Annual Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This was a talk and poster presented at a conference organised by the Medical Research Foundation National PhD Training Programme in AMR Research, which was a great opportunity to share research outputs and network with other early career researchers working in the field
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Norwich science festival 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The activity involved hosting an activity table with a game aimed at children and their parents to learn about microbiology and evolution. This was a one-day event at the Forum in Norwich, part of the Norwich Science Festival. The feedback from participants indicated interest and eagerness to learn more about the subject area.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Quadram Institute Student Science Showcase 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This was a presentation at the Institute Student Science Showcase, organised to share research outputs from students to the wider institute research community.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Visit to Quadram Institute and policy roundtable with Food Standards Agency Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Robin May 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Prof Robin May visited the institute and researchers involved in food safety research gave presentations about their work. This was followed by discussions about the implications of the findings.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Year 10 science camp 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact This activity involved a virtual workshop for Year 10 students in order to inspire and inform about careers in science. As part of the activity, PhD students did a presentation about their work and journey into science. This was followed by a Q&A session, and the feedback indicated that the students were more informed and more likely to pursue a career in science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021