Understanding Whole-Genome Sequencing and Foodborne Pathogens

Whole-genome sequencing is a popular method used to track and learn about individual foodborne pathogens. Food scientists across the globe use this insightful technique to monitor food safety. Though it seems daunting, understanding whole-genome sequencing is easier than it appears! We'll explain what happens during whole-genome sequencing and how scientists use the results. In this video, the common foodborne pathogen Bacillus cereus is used as an example of how crucial whole-genome sequencing is to determine how dangerous microbes in food can be. Meet the creators of this video: Animation by: Cassidy Prince, Narration by: Naomi Niyah, Audio by: Taejung Chung, Script by: Taejung Chung, Naomi Niyah, and Cassidy Prince, Supervised by: Dr. Jasna Kovac, Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kovac_lab

Tracking Foodborne Pathogens Using Whole Genome Sequencing

The ability to track down foodborne pathogens is crucial for maintaining food safety, and whole-genome sequencing can help! In this video, we present how whole genome sequencing is used to track and control foodborne pathogens in a food processing environment. We provide an example of tracking Listeria monocytogenes in a cheese facility, but the concepts can be applied to any foodborne pathogen and industry. Meet the creators of this video: Animation by: Laura Rolon, Narration by: Emma Mills, Audio by: Cassidy Prince, Script by: Dariann Gallegos, Emma Mills, Laura Rolon, and Runan Yan, Supervised by: Dr. Jasna Kovac,

Resisting Antibiotic Resistance: Superbugs Explained

Antibiotic resistance mechanisms allow bacteria to resist the effect of antibiotics and evolve into superbugs. The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to our generation, as some conventional antibiotics are unsuccessful in inhibiting the growth of resistant bacteria. A simple yet sophisticated process, antibiotic resistance is the focus of major research efforts! In this video, we’ll describe what antibiotic resistance is, how this process occurs, and why it is so important. Hopefully, you can take away some useful practices to help slow the progression of antibiotic resistance! Meet the creators of this video: Animation by: Cassidy Prince, Narration by: Jared Pavlock, Audio by: Jared Pavlock and Cassidy Prince, Script by: Jared Pavlock, Cassidy Prince, and Anjali Sapre, Supervised by: Dr. Jasna Kovac.

BactoChat podcast

Welcome to BactoChat - an undergraduate led STEM podcast for high school seniors and college students. We discuss our own experience in college and provide advice to help you navigate your college life.

Getting Serious about Bacillus cereus and Funding Science

Check out Cassidy, Katie, and Anjali talking about one of the many research projects in the Kovac Lab, and learn what government funding for science means to future STEM leaders! Meet the creators of this video: Discussion by: Katie Bartlett, Cassidy Prince and Anjali Sapre, Video Recording by: Katie Bartlett, Audio and Video Editing by: Cassidy Prince, Supervised by: Dr. Jasna Kovac. The video was awarded a 3rd place in The Science Coalition's 2020 Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge: https://www.sciencecoalition.org/2020/12/09/the-science-coalition-announces-winners-of-2020-fund-it-forward-student-video-challenge/

Color and learn about microbes in food!

Our undergraduate student Cassidy Prince is developing a food microbiology themed coloring book. If you are curious about an invisible world of microbes in food, please download images and have fun coloring.