The molecular microbiology lab at IFSH supports research in ecology, stress response, and pathogenesis of bacterial pathogens that pose major threats to food safety and public health by using cutting-edge molecular biology and genomic approaches, which may help to track the transmission routes of specific bacterial genotypes in the food supply chain. Knowledge gained from these studies allows IFSH scientists to better understand how bacterial pathogens adapt to the food related environments and develop more effective control strategies to minimize food contamination and prevent foodborne illness. This lab also offers bioinformatics services for the food industry using whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology, which could provide a genomic view of the micro-organism’s identity and capabilities including its potential virulence and pathogenicity.