Microbial Communities in the Food Chain
Lead Research Organisation:
Institute of Food Research
Department Name: Contracts
Abstract
We will explore the chicken gut microbiome using culture-based and sequence-based approaches. We will document the microbial ecology of Salmonella and E. coli in the food chain to prime novel ecological and synthetic biology strategies for preventing the spread of pathogens and AMR.
Organisations
| Description | Novel bacterial species identified in the chicken gut Display of useful enzymes on the bacterial flagellum |
| Exploitation Route | Identification of novel species in the chicken gut will inform all future studies on this microbiome; might allow identification of novel probiotics Smart probiotics could perhaps be developed incorporating enhanced flagellar display |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Health and Social Care Committee |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| Description | Hosting PHE students |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Have hosted multiple students working with Public Health England at my institute for training in bioinformatics. |
| Description | POSTnote on AMR |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Gave evidence to a government review |
| URL | https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/POST-PN-0595 |
| Description | Characterisation of large flagellins |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Department | Imperial College Business School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Laboratory and bioinformatics work on large flagellins |
| Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory and bioinformatics work on large flagellins |
| Impact | http://pubmed.org/30462661,29258714 |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Chicken gut metagenome |
| Organisation | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) |
| Department | Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have agreed to perform metagenomic sequencing of chicken samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | They have agreed to supply the chciken samples |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Chicken gut microbiome investigations |
| Organisation | Earlham Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed metagenome sequencing on chicken faecal samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | Roberto La Ragione and his team have provided us with chicken faecal samples |
| Impact | Generation of metagenome sequences and metagenome-assembled genomes from chicken faeces |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Chicken gut microbiome investigations |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Department | School of Veterinary Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have performed metagenome sequencing on chicken faecal samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | Roberto La Ragione and his team have provided us with chicken faecal samples |
| Impact | Generation of metagenome sequences and metagenome-assembled genomes from chicken faeces |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Gambian Chicken metagenomics |
| Organisation | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Metagenomic sequencing of chicken and guinea fowl caecal samples |
| Collaborator Contribution | Harvesting and supply of relevant samples. |
| Impact | No publication outputs so far, but sequences have been generated |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | AMR workshop Canada |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | "Towards a Human and Animal Health Risk Assessment for Foodborne and Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance", International Expert Workshop, 3-7 March 2019. The workshop comprised 40 international experts on AMR; projected outcomes include a publication. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Campylobacter research discussion with 2 Sisters Food Group |
| 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 | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussion with Directors of 2 Sisters about potential areas of collaboration with the aim to investigate the diversity and spread of Campylobacter in poultry and food. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |