Andrzej A. Benkowski from Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories in Madison, WI, presented at London Calling 2023 a lightning talk on the “Practical uses of nanopore long-read sequencing in a high-throughput contract food laboratory.” They presented a few case studies from the contract lab. The first case study was from a client who experienced an increase in Listeria spp. by rapid testing at a food processing unit. Long-read sequencing helped determine Listeria among other microbes in a mixed culture. Benowski explained that the Rapid Barcoding Kit allows for price competitiveness and fast turnaround. Strain characterization and tracking using whole genome sequencing and SNP base calling can help companies understand flavors and health benefits. Benkowski and the lab have investigated food spoilage with no need to culture. They sequenced lettuce spiked with E. coli in the presence or absence of cold stress. Benkowski concluded that Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing is a powerful investigatory tool that can be utilized in a high-throughput contract microbiology testing laboratory environment.” I found it useful to learn how contract labs can use rapid kits and EPI2ME for rapid turnaround of client samples.
