A new study on how to limit the shedding of E. coli 0157:H7 by beef cattle has been approved for funding in Alberta.
The $470,000 study will use money from Genome Alberta’s Alberta Livestock Genomics program and will be led by University of Lethbridge researcher Brent Selinger. Tim McAllister of Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre will co-lead.
A Feb. 14 news release announcing the funding indicated the project will “use functional genomics to identify and develop new bioactive compounds for the control of the pathogen and to find new strategies to mitigate the shedding of E. coli 0157:H7.”
The bacteria is often present in the feces of healthy cattle, but when it reaches high enough levels, E. coli can spread, contaminate meat and then become a health issue for people.
The project involves Genome Alberta, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency and the University of Lethbridge and is the first of an anticipated nine livestock related projects expected to be approved for funding this year.
