University of Illinois Secures $1M FDA Grant to Revolutionize Foodborne Illness Research

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CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois has been awarded a $1 million grant aimed at investigating foodborne diseases.

Bacteria found in raw meat and seafood pose a risk of illness, often exhibiting resistance to drugs, making treatment challenging.

According to a press release from the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, the research team at U of I plans to utilize the grant to track resistant bacteria in meat products.

U of I researchers are also engaged in efforts to combat cancer.

“These pathogens can lead to illness and may pass on their drug-resistant traits to other bacteria. This increases the threat of ‘superbugs’ that are difficult to eliminate with conventional antimicrobial treatments,” explained Pratik Banerjee, the principal investigator and an associate professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

This is part of a larger antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance across the U.S., called the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). Organizations like the USDA, FDA, CDC and state and local health departments are a part of NARMS.

Overall, the goal of the project is to improve surveillance and protect public health.

The grant is funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Gireesh Rajashekara, professor and associate dean in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the U of I, is co-investigator on the grant. You can read more about the project here.