IEH is internationally recognized for our expertise in genotyping and subtyping E. coli O157:H7 and other bacterial pathogens for identifying and tracking sources of microbial contamination.

The same bacterial species isolated from different sources within a meat plant are indistinguishable using standard microbial techniques. However, molecular subtyping can reveal whether they are related at the genetic level and determine if multiple sources of contamination exist.

Using "genetic fingerprints," we map the movement of microorganisms from the pre-harvest sector through the conversion of live animals into meat products.