Objective TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEMRecognising that sensitive and more cost-effective methods are needed for detecting food-borne pathogens, we are launching a project seeking to validate and standardise use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for this purpose. Although a powerful research tool, the application of PCR for detecting food-borne pathogens is hampered from lack of validation, standard protocols, reagents, and equipment. Additional specific project objectives include validating a simple method for purifying DNA from bacterial cultures, establishing a central collection of certified DNA sample materials, establishing a databank containing key food-pathogen DNA sequence, listing strains for specificity testing, developing standardised reagents, and validating pre-PCR sample treatment methods.EXPECTED RESULTSTo facilitate its routine use for diagnostic purposes, participants in the new project are being asked to undertake a series of specific projects, including to construct a DNA sample library and primer databank, validate widely used thermocyclers and other automated equipment, and to develop uniform guidelines describing how tests should be conducted. Because much of the challenge in applying PCR to food-borne pathogens is technical, there is also a need to develop standardised training manuals and procedures for those who will conduct such tests.APPLICATIONSThe program is planned in 2 phases over a 3-year period and will include 6 work packages and 20 tasks. During phase 1, researchers working in 12 separate laboratories will develop data about the basic methods and requisite reagents. During phase 2, they will focus on validation trials, automation issues, and transferring the validated technology to end-users. As part of this project, 35 participants are being asked to focus on 5 major pathogens--Salmonella, Campylobactor, enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), L. monocytogenes and Y. enterocolitica, and on three sample types: poultry carcass-rinse, pig carcass swab, and milk. An expert laboratory is assigned to each pathogen, with the task to prepare defined DNA material, compare the methods and devise and optimise a PCR detection protocol. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAsocial sciencessociologyindustrial relationsautomation Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-1. - Key action Food, Nutrition and Health Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator DANISH INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND VETERINARY RESEARCH EU contribution No data Address Bulowsvej 27 1790 KOEBENHAVN V Denmark See on map Total cost No data Participants (32) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AGENCE FRANCAISE DE SECURITE SANITAIRE DES ALIMENTS France EU contribution No data Address Avenue du General Leclec 27/31 94701 MAISONS-ALFORT See on map Total cost No data AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE-GENT Belgium EU contribution No data Address Brusselsesteenweg 370 9090 MELLE, GONTRODE See on map Total cost No data BIOTECON DIAGNOSTICS GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Hermannswerder Haus 17 14473 GROSS GLIENICKE POTSDAM See on map Total cost No data COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Belgium EU contribution No data Address Retieseweg 2440 GEEL See on map Total cost No data CONGEN BIOTECHNOLOGIE GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Robert Roessle Str. 10 BERLIN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data COOP ITALIA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via del Lavoro, 6/8 40033 CANTAGALLO See on map Total cost No data DANISH MEAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE Denmark EU contribution No data Address Maglegaardsvej 2 4000 ROSKILDE See on map Total cost No data DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Sand Hutton YO41 1LZ YORK See on map Total cost No data DIFFCHAMB AB Sweden EU contribution No data Address Backa Bergogata 7 Hisings Backa 42246 See on map Total cost No data ESTONIAN AGROBIOCENTRE Estonia EU contribution No data Address Roomu tee 10 51013 TARTU See on map Total cost No data FEDERAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS AND VETERINARY MEDICINE Germany EU contribution No data Address Diedersdorfer Weg 1 12277 BERLIN See on map Total cost No data FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE Slovakia EU contribution No data Address 4,Priemyselna 4 820 06 BRATISLAVA See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Head of the Unit of Foodborne Zoonoses and Veterinary Epidemiology Italy EU contribution No data Address Viale Regina Elena 299 00161 Rome See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data INSPECTORATE FOR HEALTH PROTECTION, COMMODITIES AND VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH Netherlands EU contribution No data Address Parnassusplein 5 2500 BC DEN HAAG ('S-GRAVENHAGE) See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY - SLOVAK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Slovakia EU contribution No data Address Soltesovej 4 040 01 KOSICE See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY PRAGUE Czechia EU contribution No data Address 5,Technicka¡ 5 16628 PRAHA 6 See on map Total cost No data INSTITUTO DE RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIES Spain EU contribution No data Address Passeig de Gracia 44, 3pl 08007 BARCELONA See on map Total cost No data JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITY OF GIESSEN Germany EU contribution No data Address Frankfurterstrasse 87 35392 GIESSEN See on map Total cost No data LUND UNIVERSITY Sweden EU contribution No data Address Paradisgatan 2 221 00 LUND See on map Total cost No data MATFORSK - NORWEGIAN FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE Norway EU contribution No data Address OSLOVEIEN 1 1430 AAS See on map Total cost No data MEDICANALYSIS LTD Greece EU contribution No data Address Fleming 18 maroysi 15126 ATHENS See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS Greece EU contribution No data Address CHRISTOU LADA STREET 6 10561 ATHENS See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH Czechia EU contribution No data Address Palackeho 1-3 612 42 BRNO See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL LABORATORY FOR ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY Portugal EU contribution No data Address Estrada do Paco do Lumiar 22 1649-038 LISBOA See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL VETERINARY AND FOOD RESEARCH INSTITUTE Finland EU contribution No data Address HSmeentie 57 00231 HELSINKI See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL VETERINARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE Poland EU contribution No data Address Partyznatow 57 24 100 PULAWY See on map Total cost No data NESTEC S.A. Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Avenue Nestle 55 1800 VEVEY See on map Total cost No data QUINTESSENCE RESEARCH AB Sweden EU contribution No data Address Malarvagen 9 746 93 BAALSTA See on map Total cost No data TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Ireland EU contribution No data Address 19,SANDYMOUNT AVENUE 19, BALLSBRIDGE 4 DUBLIN See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID Spain EU contribution No data Address 2,Avenida de Seneca 2, Ciudad Universitaria 28040 MADRID See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE*ULG Belgium EU contribution No data Address PLACE DU 20 AOUT 7 4000 LIEGE See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE VIENNA Austria EU contribution No data Address Veterinaerplatz 1 1210 WIEN See on map Total cost No data