Understanding the ecology of Listeria and its interactions with microbiomes in food processing facilities to inform biocontrol strategies
Lead Research Organisation:
Quadram Institute
Department Name: Gut Microbes and Health
Abstract
There are over one million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year with an estimated economic burden of £1.5 billion. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the five major causes of food poisoning. It is a particular problem with chilled foods such as unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses, salads and many of the ready-to-eat, chilled foods. L. monocytogenes can cause meningitis, still births and abortion, in vulnerable groups including pregnant women, the elderly, and the neonates. In Europe, 2161 confirmed cases of listeriosis were reported in 2014, a rise of 30% on the previous year. In comparison to other food-borne diseases the incidence of listeriosis is relatively low, however the disease is associated with significant public health and economic burdens because of its high mortality rate of up to 30%.
This project will provide a knowledge base of factors that influence survival of Listeria in the food processing environment where it is able to colonise many sites, particularly damp, moist conditions such as drains, floors, wash areas and food handling surfaces. Despite robust cleaning and sanitising procedures, Listeria spp. persist in the environment. While we know a great deal about the genetics and persistence of Listeria spp. originating from clinical samples, Listeria spp. present in food factory environments have not been studied to the same degree, and there remains a significant gap in our understanding of: (a) the genetic makeup of Listeria strains that are found in food processing factories and (b) how these Listeria spp. interact with diverse bacterial species of the factory microbial communities. This proposal will address these gaps in our knowledge. We will work closely with the food processing sector and analyse swabs obtained from different types of surfaces within food processing factories. These samples will then be used to identify both the Listeria spp. and associated factory bacteria. The whole genome sequence will be determined to track the pathogen through different parts of the processing factory and this will provide unique insight into routes of contamination within the factory and the persistence of particular Listeria spp. in specific areas of the factory. To survey the complete diversity of bacteria in the factory environment we will use advanced DNA based fingerprinting methods to identify which other types of bacteria are present in different factory sites and if there is a connection between these bacteria and presence/absence of the Listeria strains at a particular location. Whole genome sequence data will also provide insight into the genes associated with biofilm formation, biocide resistance and association as complex communities with other bacteria.
Strong evidence suggests that Listeria persists in the environment because of its ability to form biofilms (where bacteria grow as communities on solid surfaces). We will therefore determine the ability of the Listeria isolates to form biofilms, both individually and also in the presence of other bacteria isolated from the factory surfaces to assess how these bacteria impact biofilm formation by Listeria spp. and their persistence in the factory. These biofilm studies will be examined in a 'model factory' that we will set up in the IFR lab to recreate diverse surfaces and simulate factory environmental conditions.
To undertake this multidisciplinary programme we have assembled a collaborative team of technical experts from the food industry and academic research scientists. This research will provide improved understanding of the behaviour and survival of Listeria spp. in food processing environments. Our ultimate aim is to provide detailed, extensive knowledge to inform the industrial development of new methods to reduce Listeria spp. levels in the food processing environment. These improved methods will be shared as 'best practice' with the wider chilled food industry, eventually leading to significant health / economic benefits.
This project will provide a knowledge base of factors that influence survival of Listeria in the food processing environment where it is able to colonise many sites, particularly damp, moist conditions such as drains, floors, wash areas and food handling surfaces. Despite robust cleaning and sanitising procedures, Listeria spp. persist in the environment. While we know a great deal about the genetics and persistence of Listeria spp. originating from clinical samples, Listeria spp. present in food factory environments have not been studied to the same degree, and there remains a significant gap in our understanding of: (a) the genetic makeup of Listeria strains that are found in food processing factories and (b) how these Listeria spp. interact with diverse bacterial species of the factory microbial communities. This proposal will address these gaps in our knowledge. We will work closely with the food processing sector and analyse swabs obtained from different types of surfaces within food processing factories. These samples will then be used to identify both the Listeria spp. and associated factory bacteria. The whole genome sequence will be determined to track the pathogen through different parts of the processing factory and this will provide unique insight into routes of contamination within the factory and the persistence of particular Listeria spp. in specific areas of the factory. To survey the complete diversity of bacteria in the factory environment we will use advanced DNA based fingerprinting methods to identify which other types of bacteria are present in different factory sites and if there is a connection between these bacteria and presence/absence of the Listeria strains at a particular location. Whole genome sequence data will also provide insight into the genes associated with biofilm formation, biocide resistance and association as complex communities with other bacteria.
Strong evidence suggests that Listeria persists in the environment because of its ability to form biofilms (where bacteria grow as communities on solid surfaces). We will therefore determine the ability of the Listeria isolates to form biofilms, both individually and also in the presence of other bacteria isolated from the factory surfaces to assess how these bacteria impact biofilm formation by Listeria spp. and their persistence in the factory. These biofilm studies will be examined in a 'model factory' that we will set up in the IFR lab to recreate diverse surfaces and simulate factory environmental conditions.
To undertake this multidisciplinary programme we have assembled a collaborative team of technical experts from the food industry and academic research scientists. This research will provide improved understanding of the behaviour and survival of Listeria spp. in food processing environments. Our ultimate aim is to provide detailed, extensive knowledge to inform the industrial development of new methods to reduce Listeria spp. levels in the food processing environment. These improved methods will be shared as 'best practice' with the wider chilled food industry, eventually leading to significant health / economic benefits.
Technical Summary
L. monocytogenes remains a major cause of food poisoning with major public health and economic burden globally. Listeria spp. can be isolated from a wide range of sources including water, soil, silage, food and food processing environments. There is a significant gap in our knowledge of the genetics and epidemiology of the Listeria spp. present in the food factory environment and, in particular, their interactions with other members of the factory microbiome and how this impacts on their survival and persistence. We will test the hypothesis that this interaction plays a key role in the ability of Listeria spp. to form robust biofilms that can enhance their survival under stress conditions. In this multidisciplinary proposal we will isolate and determine the whole genome sequence of 500 Listeria spp. from in-house culture collections or isolated from chilled food factory environments. We will compare the epidemiology of the isolates and their persistence on specific factory surfaces. These diverse genomics data will be used to track the pathogen through different food factory areas and enable us to identify genotypes and candidate genetic determinants associated with persistence. In parallel we will perform 16S rDNA based metagenomics of the Listeria spp.-associated and non-associated microbiomes of food factory origin. We will establish correlations with specific commensal bacteria and isolate relevant bacteria. We will establish a lab 'model factory' at IFR to examine the ability of these Listeria spp. to form biofilms, either alone or as mixed species biofilm on factory relevant surfaces and under associated environmental parameters. The in-depth knowledge gained from this study will underpin our understanding of the survival and growth of Listeria spp. and will directly inform the industrial development of new intervention strategies to minimise the presence of this pathogen in food processing environments and thereby increase consumer safety and confidence.
Planned Impact
This SPFI proposal presents an outstanding opportunity to address key health issues related to the understanding of the growth and survival of Listeria in the food processing environment. As such, outputs of this project will directly contribute to BBSRC's 'Food, nutrition and health' priority which spans both the 'Agriculture and food security' and Bioscience for health' key strategic priorities. The in-depth knowledge generated by the project has substantial strategic value in the long term for informing novel strategies for intervention and biocontrol of this microorganism. This will assist the food industry to overcome the regulatory challenges currently threatening it through its use of quaternary ammonium biocides as disinfectants in factory environments. In addition to academic beneficiaries, the outputs of the research will deliver high-quality impacts to the following wide-ranging stakeholder groups:
Food processing and Food Retail industries: This project will have a major impact on food manufacturing industries both in the UK and worldwide, particularly those involved in production of minimally processed ready-to-eat foods, demand for which is ever increasing, both in developed and developing countries. The project will inform the industries on the genotyping of the Listeria spp. isolates as well as the types of factory surfaces that are conducive to Listeria spp. growth. In the long term, this project's outputs may lead to improved strategies for preventing and inhibiting the growth of Listeria on these surfaces. The generic principles involved in this research are expected to provide additional opportunities for the food industries to develop innovative knowledge-led biocontrol measures as alternatives to biocides, to minimise levels of environmental Listeria spp. and the potential for consequential food contamination. For food retail industries, the presence of Listeria in their food products requires them to instigate product withdrawal with concomitant risks to brand equity and reputational damage. Hence, greater confidence in the improved cleanliness of food processing environments to produce safer food products will benefit both industrial sectors.
Societal impacts: Several segments of the population are at increased risk of infection by L. monocytogenes, including pregnant women, new-borns, immunocompromised people, persons with cancer, diabetes and kidney disorders and the elderly. Overall reduction of L. monocytogenes in the food chain will have positive impacts on the healthcare setting and the vulnerable groups within our society.
Economic impact: L. monocytogenes contamination and infection has a significant economic burden, both for health costs as well as to the food industry. In USA alone, the annual cost of listeriosis is estimated to be between $2.3 to $22 billion per annum, and to the food industry the cost of implementation of safety measures against L. monocytogenes represents 0.2% of product sales. Long term benefits of this proposal leading to improved control measures in food processing industries to provide the public with safe food will have economic benefits both for national health as well as industry.
Engagement with policymakers: This project contributes to the FSA's strategic plan 2015-2020 on the outcome that 'Food is safe'. Listeria reduction is cited alongside Campylobacter as a key food pathogen of concern. The outputs from this project will inform the FSA on improved control measures in the food processing setting.
The prime routes for dissemination and knowledge exchange will be via: 1) the industrial partners and project management team members to the chilled food market sector; and 2) by Ian Charles and the project management team to other stakeholder groups, including the wider scientific community, through giving presentations at international conferences and stakeholder events, as well as through publication in high impact, open access journals.
Food processing and Food Retail industries: This project will have a major impact on food manufacturing industries both in the UK and worldwide, particularly those involved in production of minimally processed ready-to-eat foods, demand for which is ever increasing, both in developed and developing countries. The project will inform the industries on the genotyping of the Listeria spp. isolates as well as the types of factory surfaces that are conducive to Listeria spp. growth. In the long term, this project's outputs may lead to improved strategies for preventing and inhibiting the growth of Listeria on these surfaces. The generic principles involved in this research are expected to provide additional opportunities for the food industries to develop innovative knowledge-led biocontrol measures as alternatives to biocides, to minimise levels of environmental Listeria spp. and the potential for consequential food contamination. For food retail industries, the presence of Listeria in their food products requires them to instigate product withdrawal with concomitant risks to brand equity and reputational damage. Hence, greater confidence in the improved cleanliness of food processing environments to produce safer food products will benefit both industrial sectors.
Societal impacts: Several segments of the population are at increased risk of infection by L. monocytogenes, including pregnant women, new-borns, immunocompromised people, persons with cancer, diabetes and kidney disorders and the elderly. Overall reduction of L. monocytogenes in the food chain will have positive impacts on the healthcare setting and the vulnerable groups within our society.
Economic impact: L. monocytogenes contamination and infection has a significant economic burden, both for health costs as well as to the food industry. In USA alone, the annual cost of listeriosis is estimated to be between $2.3 to $22 billion per annum, and to the food industry the cost of implementation of safety measures against L. monocytogenes represents 0.2% of product sales. Long term benefits of this proposal leading to improved control measures in food processing industries to provide the public with safe food will have economic benefits both for national health as well as industry.
Engagement with policymakers: This project contributes to the FSA's strategic plan 2015-2020 on the outcome that 'Food is safe'. Listeria reduction is cited alongside Campylobacter as a key food pathogen of concern. The outputs from this project will inform the FSA on improved control measures in the food processing setting.
The prime routes for dissemination and knowledge exchange will be via: 1) the industrial partners and project management team members to the chilled food market sector; and 2) by Ian Charles and the project management team to other stakeholder groups, including the wider scientific community, through giving presentations at international conferences and stakeholder events, as well as through publication in high impact, open access journals.
Description | Contribution to call for evidence - A new UK research funding agency |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/119/a-new-uk-research-funding-agency/ |
Description | UK Research and Development Roadmap Survey |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/9543... |
Description | Biofilm Brainhub Website - NBIC |
Amount | £11,814 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/R012415/1 2106 |
Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
Sector | Private |
Start | 01/2021 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Blue light treatment of Listeria Under Environmental conditions (BLUE) |
Amount | £29,170 (GBP) |
Funding ID | QIB NEW |
Organisation | Quadram Institute Bioscience |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
Description | New antimicrobials to target gut pathogens |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2116844 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | Investigating the impact of 405 nm blue light on Listeria biofilm formation under factory conditions |
Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Named postdoc for this project- all lab work carried out by CH, reports to industry made by CH and MW |
Collaborator Contribution | In-kind contribution from the Chilled Foods Association and QIB |
Impact | Report on 405 nm blue light influence on the development of Listeria biofilm in chilled conditions on factory-relevant material surfaces |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | 1:1 industrial partner reports and meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Reports were written for each individual factory and each food supplier. These reports were then discussed in 1:1 QIB:industry meetings to discuss significance for them, explain the reports in detail and answer questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | 1st Interim 6-monthly engagement with industrial partners |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | QIB met or held teleconferences with industrial partners to discuss: • updates on the project • the translational impact of the work • revisiting the research questions • discussion on whether/how industry would like to have any more input • how industrial partners can provide resource and assistance for the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 2nd engagement with industrial partners for 1:1 discussions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | QIB researchers met with one of the industry partners to discuss the relevant results and discuss future projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 2nd engagement with industrial partners for 1:1 discussions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | QIB researchers met with one of the industry partners to discuss the relevant results and discuss future projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 2nd Interim 6-monthly engagement with industrial partners |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | QIB has met or held teleconferences with industrial partners to discuss: • updates on the project • the translational impact of the work • revisiting the research questions • discussion on whether/how industry would like to have any more input • how industrial partners can provide resource and assistance for the project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | 2nd Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue - Industrial partner site visit by QIB |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The QIB PDRA and RA visited a food production site of one of the industrial partners of the LINK project. The purpose was for QIB to gain a realistic understanding of the food production industry running conditions, to visit swab sites for the study and speak to staff members about their Listeria control measures and to those on the 'shop floor' to discuss the realities of maintaining good hygiene. QIB was able to see areas where there is persistent contamination outside of this study including machinery that is difficult to clean. These helped to inform QIB about the realities of recontamination and working practices to reduce the chance of inappropriate laboratory model design or recommendations following the LINK study. QIB was also able to individually discuss issues with regards to factory metadata submission and swab sampling problems. Please note that five factories were visited and these will all be logged as separate activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue - Industrial partner site visit by QIB |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The QIB PDRA and RA visited a food production site of one of the industrial partners of the LINK project. The purpose was for QIB to gain a realistic understanding of the food production industry running conditions, to visit swab sites for the study and speak to staff members about their Listeria control measures and to those on the 'shop floor' to discuss the realities of maintaining good hygiene. QIB was able to see areas where there is persistent contamination outside of this study including machinery that is difficult to clean. These helped to inform QIB about the realities of recontamination and working practices to reduce the chance of inappropriate laboratory model design or recommendations following the LINK study. QIB was also able to individually discuss issues with regards to factory metadata submission and swab sampling problems. Please note that five factories were visited and these will all be logged as separate activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue - Industrial partner site visit by QIB |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The QIB PDRA and RA visited a food production site of one of the industrial partners of the LINK project. The purpose was for QIB to gain a realistic understanding of the food production industry running conditions, to visit swab sites for the study and speak to staff members about their Listeria control measures and to those on the 'shop floor' to discuss the realities of maintaining good hygiene. QIB was able to see areas where there is persistent contamination outside of this study including machinery that is difficult to clean. These helped to inform QIB about the realities of recontamination and working practices to reduce the chance of inappropriate laboratory model design or recommendations following the LINK study. QIB was also able to individually discuss issues with regards to factory metadata submission and swab sampling problems. Please note that five factories were visited and these will all be logged as separate activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue - with industry partners |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Discussion on industry collaboration and future plans |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Attended the International Symposium on Problems of Listeria and Listeriosis 2019 conferences (ISOPOL 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Attended ISOPOL 2019 conference to engage with the wider Listeria- focused community (researchers, policy makers, practitioners) Was able to engage with those involved in the law suit for the South African 2017-2018 Listeria outbreak to discuss realities of the situation for controlling Listeria Engaged with others carrying out applied biofilm work of Listeria in the food production industry Was updated on international approaches to Listeria control Was updated on novel aspects of Listeria research and approaches |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Discussion with Bakkavor technical Director |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Discussion with Bakkavor food processing company to discuss strategy to ensure safety of food in relation to Listeria contamination |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Discussion with Cranswick Foods directors |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Full day discussion session to share information and develop collaborations on food safety |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://cranswick.plc.uk/ |
Description | Engagement with industry: March 2020-2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | In this reporting year (March 2020-2021) there have been >15 engagements with the industrial partners of the LINK project, with a heavy focus on helping them to understand the implications of the data, individual explanations for their factories, how this work can be carried forward and encouraging acceptance of rapid sequencing technologies |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Feature article on genomics in the Easton Daily Press |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Article was to cover the research activity at the Earlham Institute and at the Norwich Research park and how it would impact the general public |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Food production site visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Visit to a ready to eat food production site to discuss bacterial pathogens in the food processing environment and interaction with bacterial communities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Industrial partner site visit by QIB |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The QIB PDRA and RA visited a food production site of one of the industrial partners of the LINK project. The purpose was for QIB to gain a realistic understanding of the food production industry running conditions, to visit swab sites for the study and speak to staff members about their Listeria control measures and to those on the 'shop floor' to discuss the realities of maintaining good hygiene. QIB was able to see areas where there is persistent contamination outside of this study including machinery that is difficult to clean. These helped to inform QIB about the realities of recontamination and working practices to reduce the chance of inappropriate laboratory model design or recommendations following the LINK study. QIB was also able to individually discuss issues with regards to factory metadata submission and swab sampling problems. Please note, five factories were visited on different occasions and these shall all be logged as separate activites. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Interim 6-monthly engagement with industrial partners (post-sampling year) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Between the six-monthly SAB meetings QIB has met or held teleconferences with industrial partners to discuss: • updates on the project • the translational impact of the work • revisiting the research questions • discussion on whether industry would like to have any more input • how industrial partners can provide resource and assistance for the project • generally to ensure industrial partners are content with the relationship with QIB for the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
Description | Interim 6-monthly engagement with industrial partners (post-sampling year) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Between the six-monthly SAB meetings QIB has met or held teleconferences with industrial partners to discuss: • updates on the project • the translational impact of the work • revisiting the research questions • discussion on whether/how industry would like to have any more input • how industrial partners can provide resource and assistance for the project • generally to ensure industrial partners are content with the relationship with QIB for the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presented at Campden BRI "hot topics in microbiology" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Presented on biofilms in water systems to a food production industry audience Was able to attend the conference to listen to those involved in the European outbreak (frozen vegetables) and South African outbreak (polony) as well as new methods in research and detection of Listeria |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presented the LINK project at (and attended the entirety of) the retailer food technologist training day ("competency development workshop- managing Listeria") |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Attended the food technologist training day and presented the LINK project initial results and planned work to the retailer staff. Was made aware of problems not obvious during site visits such as sources of recontamination and human behaviour (compliance issues) that would impact hygiene. Was able to discuss and listen to the realities of managing Listeria from those experienced in food production outside of the limits of the LINK project i.e. other companies and other food types, each with their own individual challenges. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presenting QIB research initiatives to food production industry partners and retailers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | After an expression of further interest in research questions outside the scope of the LINK project, QIB group leaders presented their expertise and research interests to industrial partners in order to spark new discussions and potential collaborations for translational research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Public Engagement: "women of the future" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Engagement with school children, discussing the problems of Listeria and biofilm in the food production industry (and biofilm problems in general) to try and encourage careers in STEMM |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. There have been five SAB meetings which will be logged separately. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. There have been five SAB meetings which will be logged separately. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. T |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. There have been five SAB meetings which will be logged separately. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. There have been five SAB meetings which will be logged separately. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board LINK meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | All progress and future plans discussed with the scientific advisory board, BBSRC and industrial partners. The purpose was to provide an update on the project and discuss whether the approaches are appropriate, how we can continue to engage with industry and how the study will impact industry. There have been five SAB meetings which will be logged separately. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | meeting to discuss the progress with industry partner |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This meeting was organised between QIB and one of the industry partners to discuss the data relevant for the partner and to discuss future experiments |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |