Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Detection of Emerging Microbial Contaminants in Source and Finished Drinking Water with DNA Microarrays
EPA Grant Number: R828039Title: Detection of Emerging Microbial Contaminants in Source and Finished Drinking Water with DNA Microarrays
Investigators: Chandler, Darrell P. , Leon, Ricardo De
Current Investigators: Straub, Timothy M. , Rochelle, Paul A.
Institution: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: March 1, 2000 through March 1, 2003
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 1, 2000 through March 1, 2001
Project Amount: $517,818
RFA: Drinking Water (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
DNA microarrays represent a potentially significant technology and analytical technique for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single water sample, with the ability to incorporate live/dead discrimination via mRNA analysis. The objectives of this project are to develop and use DNA arrays for natural, turbid, and processed water supplies. Cryptosporidium (C.) parvum and/or Helicobacter (H.) pylori will serve as model organisms.Progress Summary:
Research during Year 1 focused on the design, construction, and specificity testing of prototype oligonucleotide microarrays. The C. parvum array consisted of 68 probes targeting a 190 bp region of the hsp70 gene, and was designed to discriminate between human and nonhuman sources of C. parvum and between different species of Cryptosporidium. The H. pylori array consisted of 36 probes targeting the vac and cagA genes, with the intent of discriminating between different genotypes of H. pylori. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray hybridization conditions were optimized for C. parvum and H. pylori gene targets, respectively. Several diagnostic nucleotides within the hsp70 gene (positions 1404, 1464, 1479, and 1542) were resolved with single-base mismatch discrimination using a 4-hour, room-temperature hybridization in a 3X SSC buffer. Not all variable bases within the 190 bp region of the hsp70 gene were diagnostic on the microarray. Nevertheless, initial results showed that this simple microarray system unambiguously discriminates between Genotype 1 and Genotype 2 C. parvum parasites. The H. pylori prototype array easily distinguished between cagA + and cagA genotypes, and single-base mismatch discrimination was achieved using a 2-hour hybridization at 50 C in 2X SSC buffer. SNP detection was used to correctly identify and sequence the genotype and genes of ATCC 43504 and ATCC 700392 isolates.Future Activities:
Work during Year 2 will focus on expanding the C. parvum hsp70 array to include downstream diagnostic sequences previously identified through PCR-based studies. The expanded array will be tested against a large panel of Cryptosporidium isolates, including human and nonhuman C. parvum. PCR conditions for the hsp70 gene will be optimized, consistent with their application to drinking water and EPA Method 1622. The prototype bacterial pathogen array will be expanded to include E. coli O157:H7 gene targets, and tested concomitantly against a panel of Helicobacter and E. coli isolates. We anticipate exploring fluorescent detection against the chemiluminescent detection method during Year 2, and the relative efficacy of signal detection in an environmental background. We also anticipate testing the specificity and sensitivity of combined Cryptosporidium, Helicobacter, and E. coli hybridizations as a prelude to the development of a validated "water quality" array.Relative to our projected research progress (below), we have met all of our Year 1 milestones and are on track to meet our research goals for Year 2 within budget and on schedule.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 27 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
risk assessment, bacteria, signature, effluent, nucleic acids, biology, epidemiology, genetics, pathology, measurement methods., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Physical Processes, Drinking Water, monitoring, microbial contamination, measurement , microbial risk assessment, microbiological organisms, detection, exposure and effects, other - risk assessment, bacteria monitoring, exposure, treatment, cryptosporidium , human exposure, microorganism, measurement, water quality, assessment technology, DNA microarrays, Helicobacter pyloriProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.