Validation of a Multiple Food-borne Pathogen Detection and Strain-Level Identification Assay

The primary objectives of this Phase II project are to 1) validate performance of the prototype resequencing pathogen microarray application for detection and identification of selected food-borne pathogens, including varieties of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic agents; 2) iterate and port the prototype application to a more practical, "market-friendly" product form factor that requires less expensive capital equipment to use, and that anticipates significantly lower operating cost per assay, without compromise of assay multiplicity, sensitivity or specificity; and 3) perform limited additional performance validation of the product application to enable initial commercial marketing to government and private sector, domestic and international laboratories that provide food-safety testing services.