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Many cattle can carry microbes that may cause food-bourne illness in humans.
But some animals are chock full of pathogens.
UNL microbiologist Andy Benson explores the link between genetics and animals carrying a high number of microbes.
So we're asking the question: can we identify genetic factors within the animal host
that controls the levels of those organisms.
With a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Benson and his team hope to identify the genes
associated with high levels of organisms.
His research could lead to changes in breeding programs.
If you can reduce the number of animals out there in the production setting,
it will have a significant impact on reducing the risk that beef, or things in the beef environment,
would be contaminated with these organisms. And this is an approach that hasn't been studied.
In research with mice, Benson has already shown individual genetic control over the abundance of
organisms in the gastrointestinal tract... a discovery that could help reduce human diseases like diabetes.
It's all part of UNL's "Gut Function Initiative."
Benson hopes similar research with cattle will add a new tool to support food safety.
I'm excited because it's a completely new approach to this problem. It could be a real game changer.
It's research that brings safety from the lab to the table.