Scientists crack genetic code of deadly bacteria found in powdered baby formula

Scientists at Nottingham Trent University have helped to successfully map the genetic make-up of a deadly form of bacteria known to exist in powdered baby formula. The team say that their work could significantly help to reduce the possibility and risk of infections amongst newborn babies, along with the development of new and suitable treatments.

Professor Stephen Forsythe – a specialist in food microbiology from Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology – has worked alongside PhD student Eva Kucerova, to identify the characteristics of over 385,000 regions of the Cronobacter sakazakii DNA sequence. The work was performed in collaboration with teams at the Vaccine Research institute of San Diego, led by Michael McClelland, and at Washington University, St. Louis, led by Professors Richard K.Wilson and Sandra W. Clifton.

Their work – published in the prestigious journal ‘PLoS ONE’ - has identified previously unknown characteristics of the bacteria, including the presence of bacterial viruses within its genetic make-up – a discovery that could hold clues to better understanding the organism’s virulence and diversity. Other findings have revealed the characteristics of the organism’s surface structure, an important asset in the development of methods with which to detect the bacteria before it causes an infection.

Professor Stephen Forsythe said: “It’s important that this organism is understood at such a detailed and minute level as its own DNA. By cracking the code that makes it what it is, we’re paving the way for further work to be carried out which could eliminate the possibility of babies being infected by this bacteria, which can lead to meningitis, brain damage and even death.”

Source: Nottingham Trent University