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NSC and FSL will work together to define and execute specific research and development of sensing technologies for detection of bacterial and bioagent contaminants on food surfaces. This venture will focus on technologies, concepts, and products related to NSC's mission and fields of expertise, NSC's partners, and FSL research programs.<P> Specifically, NSC and FSL will build, test, and refine portable fluorescence imaging technologies, based on the hyperspectral/multispectral fluorescence imaging technologies developed by FSL. The goal is to make the imaging devices portable and commercially available for in situ detection of contaminated foods.
Approach: Evaluate fluorescence data and determine fluorescent label/tag that works best with fluorescence imaging technology for scanning the surfaces of foods for the presence of pathogens. Conduct studies for inducing and detecting a fluorescence signal of the chosen fluorescent dye from the surface of the labeled food item. Conduct studies to increase the sensitivity of the imaging technology. Provide feedback to each other for research leading to assay modifications and optimization studies. Develop a portable fluorescence imaging system/device that can be used for in situ inspection of foods.