Rapid Detection of Salmonella Species in Composted Biosolids Using Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction

The intern will assist the Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission (GMSC) in the development and production of biologically-safe composts from biosolids by providing novel technologies to assess its biosafety. To achieve this, the intern will develop molecular tools, based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, to allow quick, accurate and reliable detection of human microbial pathogens directly from compost using specific DNA primers. This novel approach will not require culturing microorganisms on synthetic media, hence reducing the time and simplifying the manipulations usually associated with standard microbiological techniques. Development of a novel rapid technique permitting to assess the biosafety of composts produced from biosolids will help the Greater Moncton Sewage Commission to provide a safe product that can be used in the environment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Martin Filion

Student:

Amy Novinscak

Partner:

Greater Moncton Sewage Commission

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Acadia University