ARS | Publication request: Omics, microbial modeling, and food safety information infrastructure: a food safety perspective

Submitted to: Omics Technologies and Microbial Modeling in Food-borne Pathogens
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: May 20, 2011
Publication Date: January 5, 2012
Citation: Yan, X., Juneja, V.K., Fratamico, P.M., Smith, J.L. 2012. Omics, microbial modeling, and food safety information infrastructure: a food safety perspective. In: Yan, X., Juneja, V., Fratamico, P., Smith, J., editors. Omics Technologies and Microbial Modeling in Food-borne Pathogens. Lancaster, PA: DESTech Publication. p. 3-16.

Technical Abstract: Over the last three decades, advances in a variety of cutting-edge “omics” technologies, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, as well as in molecular and mathematical modeling approaches have provided the ability to more easily determine and interpret the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and survival of food-borne pathogens. Additionally, developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and biometrics are also expanding the research capabilities in many fields of food science, including food microbiology, food engineering, and food safety risk assessment/management. However, there are no coordinated efforts to integrate traditional knowledge and methods with modern “omics” and information technologies. In this chapter, various “omics” technologies, key advances in biotechnology, and their applications in food safety are discussed. Insights on how omics-based statistical and molecular modeling and bacterial kinetics and molecular changes (e.g. gene and protein expression profiling) through molecular modeling can provide information for dynamic mathematical modeling as an indicator of pathogen growth, survival, and stress resistance in food are provided. Finally, from a food safety perspective, the chapter describes the creation of a new food safety information infrastructure (FSII) by integrating and addressing the consistency and accuracy of distributed information resources, for example, PulseNet, FoodNet, OutbreakNet, PubMed, and online genetic databases, as well as pathogen profiling data, PMP, Combase, Foodrisk.org (http://www.foodrisk.org), and other relevant information into a user-friendly “homogeneous” information system.