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The main goal of this project is to use a novel approach for screening the genome of Salmonella typhimurium for the virulence genes that are required for survival within live host animals. The investigators have devised a simple method, termed <em>transposon footprinting</em>, for functional screening of the bacterial genome.
Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases in the United States. There is a tremendous need to apply molecular approaches to develop better and more specifically targeted control measures at the preharvest stage of food production. With more specifically targeted Salmonella, it becomes easier to control these organisms without compromising beneficial microflora.
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In this project, they will use mariner-based transposon mutants of S.typhimurium as a model system to take advantage of the feasibility of <em>transposon footprinting</em> for a thorough identification of the essential genes required for in vitro growth as well as the virulence genes required for in vivo survival. In addition, this approach will also be used to conduct a genome-wide comparison of the virulence genes for in vivo survival between different host animals or tissues.
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It is expected that this procedure will reveal the essential genes that are important in basic cellular processes and the virulence genes that are involved in various features of the bacterial pathogenesis including host-adaptation or tissue-tropism. These studies will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the pathogenesis for foodborne S. typhimurium and also have practical food safety applications for the development of vaccine, antimicrobial Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases in the United States.