Transforming food safety with Oxford Nanopore sequencing
Tracing the sources of foodborne pathogen outbreaks is essential for protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our food supply chain. In 2023, foodborne illnesses were estimated to cost the United States around $75 billion, highlighting the critical need to address this pressing issue.
Oxford Nanopore Technologies is at the forefront of transforming food safety with its advanced DNA and RNA sequencing technology. By equipping researchers, food producers, and regulatory agencies with powerful tools to detect foodborne pathogens more efficiently, our solutions are driving improvements in quality control and supporting global health efforts.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Oxford Nanopore is transforming food safety and fostering international collaboration to tackle foodborne threats.
Leading innovation in pathogen detection
Oxford Nanopore’s leading-edge sequencing technology streamlines the process of identifying pathogens. One key advantage is its ability to close reference genomes— assembling complete, gap-free genomes—in a single run. This level of precision simplifies pathogen detection and enhances the reliability of results.
Our NO-MISS workflow (Nanopore-Only Microbial Isolate Sequencing Solution) reduces the number of complex steps that are typical with traditional lab methods, which speeds up the process. With real-time basecalling and fewer transfer steps, the workflow makes pathogen genome sequencing faster and more accessible.
In October 2024, Oxford Nanopore and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) co-hosted a milestone workshop during the GenomeTrakr meeting in Maryland, USA. Food safety professionals at the event were introduced to the NO-MISS workflow, which directly detects pathogens from colony samples. This approach aligns with the US. Government’s One Health initiative, which aims to improve food safety, environmental monitoring, and public health through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
Advancing genomic precision and antimicrobial resistance surveillance
The fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires precise and timely data, and our technology delivers. By rapidly, assembling complete pathogen genomes, our sequencing tools enable the identification of resistance genes with exceptional accuracy. This capability supports targeted treatments, reducing the misuse of antibiotics and helping to prevent outbreaks.
At the Nanopore Community Meeting (NCM) in September 2024, the FDA highlighted the unique advantages of nanopore sequencing for closing genomes quickly and accurately. Real-world examples, such as detecting Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli in irrigation water, and analysing Cronobacter in powdered infant formula, showcased the versatility of our sequencing platform. These advancements are strengthening global efforts to monitor and respond to foodborne pathogens.
Expanding global collaboration
Oxford Nanopore’s impact on food safety was a major focus at the International Food Safety Conference on Jeju Island, South Korea. Leaders from regulatory bodies, including the U.S. and Korean FDAs, joined academics and industry experts to discuss the latest innovations in food safety. The US. FDA expressed high confidence in nanopore sequencing for its superior accuracy and user-friendliness compared to older methods.
A notable panel discussion, co-led by Oxford Nanopore and the FDA, emphasised the effectiveness of workflows such as NO-MISS and Direct-from-Colony sequencing. These tools are driving progress in pathogen surveillance and reinforcing our commitment to addressing global challenges under the One Health framework.
Driving molecular surveillance with advanced chemistry
Global surveillance networks, like PulseNet, are leveraging advancements in sequencing technology to improve their response to outbreaks. Oxford Nanopore’s Q20+ chemistry offers high-accuracy sequencing through scalable and accessible workflows, empowering labs around the world to detect and track foodborne pathogens in real time.
These enhancements bolster PulseNet’s ability to identify pathogens quickly, enabling swift action against emerging threats. While challenges such as strain-level resolution in methylated genomes remain, our dedication to innovation is paving the way for even more effective pathogen detection.
Shaping the future of food safety
Oxford Nanopore is redefining food safety by introducing transformative sequencing solutions across the food supply chain. With real-time results, portable devices, and the ability to sequence outside traditional labs, our technology is making food safety workflows faster, more accurate, and more accessible, helping to create a safer, healthier future for all.