Comparison of genome-based technology with optical laser scattering imaging technology for the purpose of microbial source tracking

Prithviraj P Patankar, Purdue University

Abstract

Water contamination by pathogens from fecal origin results in economic losses amounting to millions of dollars in the United States alone, along with thousands of cases of illnesses and deaths. Fecal pathogens are a very diverse group of contaminants which makes it extremely difficult to detect and identify every individual source of contamination. The objective of this thesis research is to introduce and evaluate two novel technologies used for microbial source tracking (MST) developed here at Purdue University Calumet, using Escherichia coli as an indicator organism for fecal contamination. In one of these techniques, we carried out mass genome sequencing of E. coli from different host species and generated DNA markers specific for the host species. In the other technique, we generated laser light scattering imaging patterns of E. coli colonies from different host species and used the database of the images for classifying the bacteria by their source. Both the technologies are simple, economic, and rapid, with great promise for accurate identification of E. coli from different host species. Both methods require the growth of E. coli. The genome-based method identifies host specific DNA markers with specific SNP PCR primers which can be distributed in various laboratories for MST. The laser imaging method requires the construction of a portable device for acquiring the images that can be centrally processed at the PUC laboratory for MST. Using high computing facilities, the results can be obtained instantaneously.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Tseng, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Genetics|Microbiology|Bioinformatics

COinS