Researchers at the McGill University in Montreal, Canada will identify ways to aid food growers in the better prevention of salmonella.
The four-year study is being backed by a $10m grant through Genome Canada and will involve sequencing the genomes of 4,500 isolates from 2,500 known salmonella serotypes, Food Safety News reported.
Nearly 25 of the 2,500 known serotypes of salmonella are believed to be the primary cause of food poisoning.
The phase I of the study will find how these illness causing serotypes are different from a genetic perspective.
The research will enable the development of advanced diagnostic tests to diagnose salmonella, as well as food tracking methods in the case of an outbreak.
McGill Food Safety Associate Professor Lawrence Goodridge was quoted by Food Safety News as saying that the study is expected to answer questions concerning some of the bacterium's traits, such as its ability to sicken people through dry foods that do not seem to encourage the growth of other types of bacteria.
