Salmonella viruses as biocides in the food industry
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
A safe food supply for humans and animals requires innovative approaches to exclude bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella from food and feed. The use of naturally occurring bacterial viruses called bacteriophage to kill bacteria in the food chain and processing environments is an exciting area of innovation. Rationale design and implementation of such approaches require scientific knowledge of the genetic diversity of the bacterial host and bacteriophage, to identify potential mechanisms of resistance. At the Quadram Institute Bioscience we are investigating the genomic diversity of bacterial pathogens in the food chain, and this project will integrate with these efforts by discovering and analysing bacteriophage that can be used to eradicate these pathogens from food and food processing environments. In this project you will learn to use cutting edge whole genome sequencing, bioinformatic and molecular microbiology technologies to investigate the mechanisms of killing and resistance of Salmonella by novel bacteriophage. In partnership with a leading food processing company, intervention strategies aimed at excluding Salmonella from food will be developed and tested in a model factory in the lab.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Robert Kingsley (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Luke Acton (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 2244928 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2023 | Luke Acton |
| Description | We have identified, purified and sequenced a collection of Bacteriophages (Viruses which Infect Bacteria) which are capable of killing Salmonella, which are of potential use in food and feed processing environments. Through the use of functional genomic approaches, we have identified the Phages host range (How many Bacteria they kill), bacterial targets and identified mechanisms of resistance to the bacteriophages. Using this information, it has allowed us to formulate combinations of bacteriophages which work synergistically together, which make them much more effective at killing their bacterial target. This innovative approach will help design better phage cocktails which have applications in both biotechnology, food safety and phage therapy. |
| Exploitation Route | Bacteriophages Isolated in this project and a resource which will be useful to others. In addition, the rich phenotypic data generated will be critical to their appropriate use for many potential applications. It is hoped that this could be used as a proof of concept, demonstrating that rich phentypic data relating to Host Range, Genomics, and Resistance can better inform the use of bacteriophages and improve the efficacy in many applications. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Findings of this award can have huge impact on the food production sector. There is a growing need for novel methods to exclude pathogens from ready to eat products where no intervention methods are in place. The outcomes of the award can help inform the food production industry that bacteriophages are a potential method to help prevent contamination within the food production environment and the food product. This can help improve quality of life to reduce infections to the public and also has economic impact to help prevent infections, reducing the economic burden of food bourne disease. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Development of Bacteriophage Cocktails to Decrease Salmonella contamination in Raw Pet Food |
| Amount | £61,848 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 43144FSRN-2022A12 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2023 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| 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 | Discussion with Illumina Accelerator representative |
| 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 about developing translation and potential spinout company from BBSRC CASE studentship work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.illumina.com/company/illumina-for-startups/accelerator-program.html |
| Description | Discussion with Industry - Natures Menu - Raw Pet Food Producer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Multiple discussions with Natures Menu. The Primary Focus to be feeding back the outcomes of research relating to the use of bateriophages in food and feed processing environments. This often promoted further discussions and other collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 |
| Description | Discussion with raw pet food manufacturer (Bella and Duke) |
| 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 Head of Food Development for a raw pet food manufacturer (Bella and Duke) on the application of our work on the use of phage as biocides in the food chain |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bellaandduke.com/lp/50-off-raw-dog-food/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=D... |
| Description | Knowledge Exchange visit at UC Davis and Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Knowledge Exchange to UC Davis, CA with Groups of Andreas Baumler, Renee Tsolis and Sebastian Winter. In Addition, a Departmental Presentation of my work was also given |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Norwich Science Festival - Activity promoting awareness of Bacteriophages |
| 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 | Planned, Organised and Carried out an activity at Norwich Science Festival. The Activity engaged with the public and educated them about bacteriophages, how they work and some of their uses. Over 1000 people attended throughout the whole day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Oral Presentation at Viruses of Microbes, UK Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Gave an Oral Presentation about my research at the meeting. Networking with other researchers and discussion of my projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation at Canadian Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting and Knowledge Exchange |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented a Poster at the Canadian Society for Microbiology (CSM) annual conference. Spoke to members about my work and research data as well as knowledge exchanage with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and University of Guelph Researchers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |