ARS | Publication request: Applications of omics for food safety and security

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 29, 2007
Publication Date: July 8, 2007
Citation: Fratamico, P.M., Luchansky, J.B. 2007. Applications of omics for food safety and security. Meeting Abstract. International Association for Food Protection. S19.

Technical Abstract: Food safety and food security are important global issues. Research employing 'omics' technologies, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, is helping to elucidate pathogen behavior at the molecular level and to develop better detection and typing systems. Omics-based tools enable researchers to explore complex biological processes in a quantitative and integrative manner via a systems biology approach. These methods of analysis are helping to identify genes that are potential targets for interventions, genes that play a role in pathogenesis, and genes that are responsible for specific survival and virulence characteristics. The availability of completely sequenced genomes of food-borne pathogens has made possible the analysis of these genomes solely using computational methods. Microarray-based comparative genomics research, which takes advantage of information available from whole genome sequences, is leading to an increased understanding of the evolution and pathogenesis of food-borne pathogens and is providing critical information for the development of improved detection and genotyping methods, as well as for intervention strategies for the control of food-borne pathogens. Used as diagnostic tools, DNA microarrays offer the capability to detect a broad spectrum of pathogens simultaneously in a relatively short period of time and can be used in instances of possible bioterrorism. Techniques that fall within the category of either proteomics or protein arrays are used for global analysis of cellular protein output under different conditions, including those in food environments. The integration of both genetic- and protein-based analyses provides a more comprehensive view of cellular activities. Thus, the application of omics technologies will play an important role in understanding how pathogens survive food safety barriers and interact with host species, which will ultimately give rise to better tools for their control.