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Title: Application of Microarray Technology to Investigate Salmonella genomics

Author
item Frye, Jonathan
item Cray, Paula
item Jackson, Charlene
item Englen, Mark

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2007
Publication Date: 10/1/2007
Citation: Frye, J.G., Cray, P.J., Jackson, C.R., Englen, M.D. 2007. Application of Microarray Technology to Investigate Salmonella genomics. University of Delaware Department of Animal and Food Sciences Seminar. October 1, 2007. Newark, Delaware.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: Microarrays were developed for the molecular study of various genes in Salmonella species, which may be important in causing illness in both humans and animals. There are over 2400 Salmonella serotypes each of which differs in their ability to cause disease in humans and animals, persist within the host, and survive in the environment. Mircoarray analysis has revealed that each serotype contains a core of about 4000 genes in addition to 400-600 genes that are specific for each serotype. Some of these genes are shared between closely related serotypes; however, others are shared with very distantly related serotypes or other bacterial species via horizontal gene exchange. The analysis of gene distribution within specific serotypes is called genovar typing and data collected by these studies have been used to develop techniques to replace conventional serotyping. Our research identified a small set of genes that can differentiate between most common serotypes of Salmonella. These were used to develop a multiplex PCR technique that can identify the top 35 clinical Salmonella serotypes which represent over 85% of all Salmonella isolated in the US associated with food borne illness. The multiplex PCR technique is cheaper, quicker and easier to perform than traditional serological typing and can be adopted by any laboratory. This represents a significant improvement over traditional serotyping which requires specialized experience and costly production of serum antibody.