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<OL> <LI> To apply the QBeta replicase reaction for the detection of foodborne viruses, norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV).
<LI> An efficient pretreatment procedure for purifying and concentrating virus particles from food is essential for high sensitivity and specificity of detection. Several existing methods will be compared and optimized. Modification and combination of these methods will be tried to develop a new concentration method suitable for QBeta replicase detection.
Expected Benefits:
We plan to apply the QBeta replicase reaction for the detection of two common foodborne viruses, norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), which are very difficult to cultivate and to detect in food. The greater resistance of QBeta replicase reactions to inhibitors present in foods will make the technique more robust than the molecular methods currently used. An efficient pretreatment procedure will be developed to remove most food components and inhibitors from food samples. Because the QBeta replicase reaction is an isothermal process at 37°C, it does not require specific instrumentation. A Q replicase detection chip suitable for field use will be developed.
<P> For more information, please visit the <a href="http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/foodsafety/index.html" target="_blank">Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Food Safety Research Program</a>.