The SAFEMILK project is focused on the development of novel complex assay for evaluation of milk safety, which is important for dairy industry to assure required safety and quality of milk and dairy products. The complex biosensing assay will be focused on development of various methods for rapid and sensitive detection of bacterial pathogens and antibiotics that could occur in milk and represent potential hazard for health. Eight experienced academic/research institutions, two SMEs and one governmental business company from 3 EU member states (Slovakia, Hungary, Greece) and from 2 third countries (Canada and USA) are involved in the research, development and verification of assays for detection of bacterial pathogens and antibiotics in milk.
The SAFEMILK project opens excellent opportunities for enhancing innovations, improvement of skill and opening new career perspectives for early stage researchers (ESR). Moreover, closely related high-level research and their practical application thanks to involvement of two SMEs and one Business Company will provide additional opportunity to find job in the industry. SAFEMILK is highly innovative project. It combines excellent science in nanotechnology and novel experimental techniques with transfer of technology to milk industry. The unique method based on EMPAS developed by project partner from University of Toronto UTR will be transferred to Slovakia, Hungary and Greece milk industry in order to improve the safety of milk and milk products. We are expecting that the assays for detection of bacteria and antibiotics in milk will be optimized and commercialized by industrial partners involved in SAFEMILK project. Very important will be the transfer of knowledge from the TC partners to the EU academic institutions. This includes molecular engineering, nanofabrication and surface analysis as well as the development of new methods of detection bacteria and antibiotics at surfaces with antifouling properties. However, the transfer of knowledge and technology will not be limited only by the members of consortium, but will be widespread to the companies working in food industry, food quality and safety over the Europe. For this purpose, the project workshops and summer schools will be open for these partners.
The focus is on the application of surface acoustic, electrochemical and optical methods using nanofabricated surfaces with immobilized DNA aptamers for detection of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotics. The output of the project will be the development of novel analytical assays, staff exchange between academic institutions and SME, training of the students in novel analytical methods, and sensor development in world leading laboratories. The important result of the project is an optimized complex assay for efficient assessment of milk safety, which could be commercialized by the project industrial participants. The organization of training schools, workshops and transfer of novel technology will be among priorities of this project.
