Listeria POST-DOC

Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular pathogenic bacterium widely distributed in in soil, decaying vegetation soil sewage, animal feces, river and canal waters, fertilizers, plants and animals. Its ubiquitous nature derives from pathogen’s ability to adapt to an extended variety of adverse conditions, thus surviving and, in some cases, proliferating in substrates that are considered for human consumption as well as in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Foodborne listeriosis is one of the most severe foodborne diseases with high hospitalization and mortality rates (20-30%) especially in vulnerable populations, such as immuno-compromised people, pregnant women, and the elderly. Therefore, it is considered as one of the most serious foodborne human diseases under surveillance.

The Challenge

Improved and accurate techniques that provide fast detection are of great importance, since it is very crucial to detect the pathogen and withdraw the contaminated products from the markets before their distribution to consumers, thus preventing human infection.

Aim of the project is to test and develop a biosensor specified in Listeria monocytogenes, in order to allow rapid and robust detection of the pathogen in dairy products and ready-to-eat fresh produce before they hit the market.

For this purpose B.EL.D (Bio Electric Diagnostics) will be supported by an updated software and biosensor platform called BRAD (Bacteria Rapid Detection ).