MICROBIOLOGY ANALYTICAL TRACK 1 (FOOD PROTECTION) The nation?s food supply has the potential to be weaponized: intentional adulteration of food with deadly pathogens or toxins could turn a widespread food distribution network into an efficient and potentially devastating harm-delivery system. The key protections against such acts of bioterrorism are food surveillance and efficient outbreak investigation. The core tenet of this large and multifaceted proposal is to contribute a comprehensive and integrated food protection laboratory hub to the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) that is capable of analyzing many different foods across a diversity of threat priorities. Embracing the strategic shift from outbreak management to prevention through large volume sample testing, we recently integrated our extensive CLIA-certified anti-bioterrorism activities with our experienced FDA-certified Food Microbiology Laboratory. This proposal now seeks to sustain this capability by maintaining a state of readiness through testing of food samples using our robust methods, extensive technical capabilities, and the experienced Analysts of our Bioterrorism Laboratory. Activities within Microbiology Analytical Track 1 Food Protection will be purposefully focused to achieve the 15 general Specific Aims and 4 Track Specific Aims that were outlined in the PAR-20-105 program announcement.
