Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Station reports were delivered from each participant describing completed and on-going research.

Administrative updates by Hongda Chen and Steve Lommel where Hongda Chen shared information on the upcoming AFRI funding in 2022/2023 with the cap up to $ 650 K and with additional $150 K available for MSIs, small institutions and EPSCoR, he emphasized that the success rate was at 30% for the new investigator seed grants with a $300 K budget and that there is also a postdoc grant for an independent research available to the students within 6-8 months of their graduation. He encouraged continuation of collaborative committee activities to generate impacts both domestically and internationally, and document the impacts to support the mission of NIFA and multistate hatch programs.  

Steve Lommel reminded that the annual report is due within 60 days and that the report should follow abbreviated format (3-page limit) with a stronger emphasis on impacts and products and alignment to societal challenges. He pointed out that continued collaboration and productivity are the key for the future success in the multistate project and conveyed that with better documentation and evidence presentation we could again pursue an opportunity to be nominated for the APLU award. 

Zhengrong Gu was elected as Secretary for the 2023-2024 term. Chenxu Yu will become the chair and Anhong Zhou will become the vice-chair for the 2023-2024 term starting immediately after the meeting. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussing options for 2024 meeting, collaborations, joined publications, grant applications, and exploring collaboration with another multistate project S1077 “enhancing microbial food safety by risk analysis”. and rewrite a conference proposal co-sponsored by NC1194 and S1077 for NIFA. Full minutes are available at NIMSS website under Reports.

Contributions to the objectives of this project on its first year are summarized. At least 46 publications associated to the research and listed and the end of this report were published by the NC-1194 group.

1. Develop new technologies for characterizing fundamental nanoscale processes and fabricate self-assembled nanostructures

Outputs: A novel SERS substrate by electrospinning for the detection of thiabendazole in soy-based foods was developed. The approach combines electrospun substrates and SERS for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. Spectroscopic imaging methods for analyzing protein-nanoplastics interactions were developed, The results demonstrated a linear relationship between intensity and concentration within the range of 100 to 1000 ppb for the soy sauce sample and 10 to 600 ppb for the soymilk sample, with high coefficient of determination values (99.75% and 99.42%, respectively). The limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 69.9 and 240.59 ppb for soymilk and soy sauce samples, respectively, indicating the sensitivity of the method, while the limits of detection (LOD) were 23.1 ppb for soymilk and 79.4 ppb for soy sauce (MO). Methods to make nanocarriers for drug/vaccine delivery and functional food with enhanced nutritional values and quality were developed (IA). Novel adjuvants that can be incorporated into nanoparticles in vaccine was developed (VT); Differential scanning fluorimetry at high hydrostatic pressure was developed to determine the melting temperature of proteins and better characterize their thermal unfolding mechanism (FL). Electrochemical analyses, including impedance and differential pulse voltammetry, were developed for biomolecule interactions such as DNA chain hybridization in nano-scale, small molecule-hydrogel of biopolymers, and small molecule-2D metal organic films (SD).

2. Develop devices and systems incorporating nanotechnology and data-driven analytics for detection of biological/chemical targets, with an emphasis on detection of infectious diseases in plants, animals, humans, and the environment

Outputs: Research on the characterization and understanding of environmental health toxicity and toxicity mechanisms of the various nanomaterials used in agriculture before and after environmental transformations in simple and complex exposure scenarios, such as plant-activated nitrogen nanocarriers to non-targeted soil and microbial communities was conducted, the toxicity and potential applications of the composite membranes with 2D nanomaterials (phosphorene and hexagonal boron nitride) for degradation of the PFAS in drinking water was analyzed. (KY). Methods to better understand and improve the mechanisms of spreading of antibiotic-resistant genes during manure composting were developed (IA). Portable gene-based and immunosensors for rapid and label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva were developed (IA, HI). First generation phosphate sensors based on stimulus-response nanobrush electrodes or on carbon nanoparticles, nitrogen sensors based on laser inscribed graphene electrodes, and Listeria spp. as well as Salmonella sensors were developed (SC IA). A novel InvG protein as a potential biosensor for Salmonella spp is being researched (SC FL). The team in MSU developed and validated the SMART biosensor to rapidly extract and detect foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella enterica, E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus from large-volume complex food and farm samples, such as fresh produce (spinach, broccoli, lettuce), meat (beef, chicken), environmental samples (water), and clinical samples (human isolates). They also developed the African Swine Fever Biosensor to detect ASF in farm settings rapidly. The ASF biosensor is being validated in ASF-infected farm samples by our international collaborators (MI). The Utah State team investigated cellular oxidative stress in response to polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (PS50 for 50 nm, PS500 for 500 nm, and PS100-NH2 for 100 nm with amino group (UT). Design improvements were made to an open-source potentiostat project (intended to accelerate commercialization of electrochemical based biosensors) to improve performance, and importantly to facilitate multiplexed detection of multiple samples and / or biological targets simultaneously through adaptable switched networks. We also successfully demonstrated a new low-cost microfluidic actuation to enable multiplexed detection of optical based biosensors (i.e. for gene-based diagnostics), for implementation with high quality field tests with built in internal controls. (HI)

3. Advance the integration of novel sensor networks, information systems, and artificial intelligence for effective risk assessment and decision support for food security and safety

Outputs: AI-driven spectroscopic imaging techniques for CWD diagnosis was developed (IA). Machine learning (ML) tools were created to analyze Raman spectra to analyze the stresses in cells induced by exposure of nanoplastics (UT). Networks of custom surveillance systems were implemented to monitor traps for invasive beetles, with potential to guide operations to eliminate breeding sites, and identify new invasions at ports of entry (HI).

4. Develop and update education and outreach materials on nanofabrication, sensing, systems integration and application risk assessment.

Outputs: The Michigan state team held the 2023 GARD Forum virtually on March 20-26, 2023, which was attended by more than 700 participants from more than 30 countries in six continents. Technical sessions, short courses, and an Innovation Challenge were held during the forum. The team also demonstrated the technology developed by them at the MSU Science Festival in April 2023, and trained two minority students under the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP). Short courses on Nanotechnology were taught (NJ, KY), course on biosensors was developed and taught (FL). A REU-site on wearable graphene-based stress biosensor development with community college and high school students starting summer 2021 continued through 2022-2034, and educational tools for inspiring self-stewardship as well as racial inclusiveness were created (IA).

5. Increase the number academic-industry partnerships to help move the developed technologies to commercialization phase.

IA station continued working with a IUCRC team to improve academic-industry partnership and develop technologies for soil dynamics to promote commercialization of the technology.

1. Caliskan-Aydogan O1, Sharief S1, and Alocilja EC3. 2023. Rapid Isolation of Low-level Carbapenem-Resistant E. coli from Water and Foods Using Glycan-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles, Biosensors 2023, 13(10), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13100902
2. Caliskan-Aydogan O1 and Alocilja EC3. 2023. A Review of Carbapenem Resistance in Enterobacterales and Its Detection Techniques. Microorganisms, 2023, 11(6), 1491; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061491
3. Sharief, S. A., Caliskan-Aydogan, O., & Alocilja, E. C. 2023. Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles for PCR-less genomic detection of Salmonella from fresh produce. Food Control, 150 (2023) 109770
4. Boodoo C1, Dester E1, David J1, Patel V1, Rabin KC, and Alocilja EC3. 2023. Multi-Probe Nano-Genomic Biosensor to Detect S. aureus from Magnetically-Extracted Food Samples, Biosensors, accepted, in press. Biosensors 2023, 13(6), 608
5. Sharief S1, Caliskan-Aydogan O1, Alocilja EC3. 2023. Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles for PCR-less genomic detection of Salmonella from fresh produce, Food Control, Vol. 150, 109770.
6. Boodoo C1, Dester E1, Sharief S1, and Alocilja EC3. 2023. Influence of Biological and Environmental Factors in the Extraction and Concentration of Foodborne Pathogens using Glycan-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles,  Journal of Food Protection, 86(4):100066.
7. Sharief SA1, Caliskan-Aydogan O1, and Alocilja EC3. 2023. Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles for point-of-use food contamination testing, Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X, 13 (2023), 100322, 9 pp.
8. Bhattarai RK1,3, Basnet HB, Dhakal IP, Alocilja E. 2023. Virulence genes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from commercial chicken in Nepal, Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 95 (2023) 101961,
9. Caliskan-Aydogan O1, Sharief S1, and Alocilja EC3. 2023. Nanoparticle-Based Plasmonic Biosensor for the Unamplified Genomic Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria, Diagnostics, Diagnostics 2023, 13(4), 656
10. Yuanzhi Bian, Debra L. Walter, Chenming Zhang. Efficiency of interferon-γ in activating dendritic cells and its potential synergy with toll-like receptor agonists. Viruses (MDPI). 2023, 15, 1198.doi.org/10.3390/v15051198.
11. Hajikhani, M., Zhang, Y., Gao, X., Lin, M. 2023. Advances in CRISPR-based SERS detection of food contaminants: A review. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 138, 615-627.
12. Wang, W., Yu, Z., Lin, M., Mustapha, A. 2023. Toxicity of silver nanoparticle incorporated-bacterial nanocellulose to human cells and intestinal bacteria. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 241, 124705.
13. Weng, Z., You, Z., Li, H., Wu, G., Song, Y., Sun, H., Fradlin, A., Neal-Harris, C., Lin, M., Gao, X., Zhang, Y. 2023. CRISPR-Cas12a biosensor array for ultrasensitive detection of unamplified DNA with single-nucleotide polymorphic discrimination. ACS Sensors. 8(4), 1489-1499.
14. Asgari, S., Dhital, R., Mustapha, A., Lin, M. 2022. Duplex detection of foodborne pathogens using a SERS optofluidic sensor coupled with immunoassay. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 383, 109947.
15. Hajikhani, M., Lin, M. 2022. A review on designing nanofibers with high porous and rough surface via electrospinning technology for rapid detection of food quality and safety attributes. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 128, 118-128.
16. Asgari, S., Dhital, R., Ali Aghvami, S., Mustapha, A., Zhang, Y., Lin, M. 2022. Separation and detection of E. coli O157:H7 using a SERS-based microfluidic immunosensor. Microchimica Acta. 189, 111.
17. Diehl, M., Kang, M.J., Reyes-De-Corcuera, J.I.* (2023) Effect of high-pressure technologies on enzymes used in nonfood processing applications in Effect of High-Pressure Technologies on Enzymes, Leite Júnior, B. and Tribst, A., Editors. Academic Press, 405-424.
18. Tong T,* Qi Y, Bussiere L, Dhar D, Miller C, Yu C, Wang Q, Rational Design of Oral Vaccines by Gut Organoid Mucosal Models, Bioactive Materials, 2023, 30, 116-128, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.07.014
19. Zhao M, Cao X, Wu Y, Zou S, Li Z, Lin X, Ji C, Dong L, Zhang S, Yu C, Liang H, Effects of prebiotics on the fermentation of traditional suancai of Northeast China, Food Science and Human Wellness, 2023, https://doi.org/10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250114
20. Zhou Y, Zheng J, Zhao J, Li S, Xing J, Ai C, Yu C, Yang S, Yang J, Oxygenated storage alleviates autolysis of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus during transport. Aquaculture International, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01108-5
21. Zhang W, Yu C, Yin S, Chang K, Chen K, Xing Y, Yang Y, Transmission and retention of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in chicken and sheep manure composting, Bioresource Technology, 382, 129190, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129190
22. Wang Z, Yu X*, Zhao W, Wang Y, Li S, Yu C, Dong X, 3D printability of sturgeon paste as affected by colloid milling. Journal of Food Engineering, 346, 111429, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2023.111429
23. Chen KS, Yu C, Cai L, Zhang W, Xing Y, Yang Y, Bacterial community succession in aerobic-anaerobic-coupled and aerobic composting with mown hay affected C and N losses, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27572-3
24. He Q*, Tong TJ*, Yu C and Wang Q, Advances in Algin and Alginate-Hybrid Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Marine Drugs, 21(1), 14, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/md21010014
25. Leng L, Zou H, Wang Y, Yu C, Qi H, Seaweed Slurry Improved Gel Properties and Enhanced Protein Structure of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Surimi, Foods, 11(19), 3115, 2022, https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11193115
26. Liu Y*, Wang Z, Huang Y, Konno K, Tong T*, Yu C, Zhu B, Dong X, Characteristic stable structure of the myosin rod in dark muscle of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola aureovittata), International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.16146