Team:Calgary

Our Project

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses are a growing problem in our lives. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, identified 767 outbreaks of foodborne illnesses affecting nearly 14,000 people. Pathogenic E. coli was a recurring theme in many of these outbreaks. We recently experienced a foodborne disease outbreak here in Alberta in late 2012. This outbreak was the result of pathogenic E. coli serotype O157 and led to significant food recall alongside many hospitalizations, deaths, massive economic losses and an overall loss of consumer confidence in food safety. The current detection methods have long wait times due to the long incubation times needed to amplify E. coli in the sample which are followed by amplification to verify the presence of genes known to be associated with pathogenic E. coli

One of the contributing factors connected with the outbreak in Alberta was the lack of a rapid on-site detection system. Thus, the University of Calgary 2013 iGEM Collegiate team is using synthetic biology to develop a system to rapidly detect the presence of pathogenic E. coli in the beef industry. By using engineered biological nanoparticles and DNA binding proteins we can specifically detect pathogenic DNA sequences. Our biosensor functions at the genomic level to detect the presence or absence of pathogenic E. coli in a sample. This system allows us to pinpoint contamination during meat processing and also provides the ability to prescreen cattle to help prevent outbreaks by limiting potential sources of contamination in the processing chain. Our system provides a powerful new tool for food safety, but also shows promise as a platform for the rapid detection of target organisms that are identified as key targets in a myriad of sectors from health to environment to biosecurity.