Pennsylvania watch for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in foods you buy
Official title: Pennsylvania Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistant-enteric Bacteria in Retail Food
Funded at Pennsylvania State Dept of Health · NIH-11419457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term project in Pennsylvania uses whole-genome sequencing to track antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in foods, helping protect people who eat or handle retail foods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Dept of Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Harrisburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $190,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01FD007142-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are residents of Pennsylvania whose illnesses are linked to foodborne bacterial infections or who are involved in food production and safety oversight that intersects with human health.
✕Less likely to help
People not connected to foodborne illness or food production surveillance may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project partners with state health authorities to monitor bacteria from foods sold to the public for resistance to antibiotics. Using whole-genome sequencing, investigators compare bacteria from foods with those found in patients to identify sources of outbreaks and prioritize safety actions. The effort supports One Health by linking human health with animal sources and food production, and it helps regulators take timely steps to prevent contaminated products from reaching shoppers. Results are shared with the FDA to improve nationwide oversight and surveillance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to faster outbreak detection, safer food supplies, and stronger public health responses to antibiotic-resistant infections.
How similar studies have gone: Similar surveillance programs using genomic data have improved outbreak tracing and regulatory actions in the past.
Where this research is happening
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Pennsylvania State Dept of Health
Harrisburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: M'ikanatha, Nkuchia Mugambi — Pennsylvania State Dept of Health
- Study coordinator: M'ikanatha, Nkuchia Mugambi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.