Development of omics methodologies for the detection and indetification of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria in seafood

Abstract

The project bases on the development of analytical methods for the rapid detection and identification of the main pathogenic and food-borne spoilage microorganisms, present in fish products and products of the aquaculture. Traditionally the methods to identify bacteria were time consuming and tediously. However the application of molecular methods by genomic and proteomic analysis offer an attractive alternative for the rapid and simple identification and characterization of bacteria. The main interest of the project envisages the development of advanced technologies that are appropriate for the rapid detection and identification of the microbial risk in seafood. This would open the way to sensible methods for the precocious detection of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, leading to a better quality and safety of these food products. The objective of the project is the application of genomic and proteomic technologies, including analysis of DNA and the characterization of specific peptides and proteins with the aim to develop advanced systems like a DNA-Array and a database of spectra obtained with MALDI-TOF MS, to identify and characterize rapidly the pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms potentially present in seafood.