Issue December, 2011 - AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

32 Pages·2012·1.65 MB·English

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DECEMBER_2011
TOMORROWTODAY
Developing the technologies, methods and tools of tomorrow
➜HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
(cid:2)
TESTING FOOD USING MOLECULES
Bacterial infections caused by contaminated food continue to
be a serious problem even in the Western world. Novel detection
methods, based on DNA or protein analysis, are providing a fast
and reliable way of identifying bacterial contamination in food and
beverages.
(cid:3)(cid:4)
THE QUEST FOR THE BEST GENES
The AIT Gene Resource Center offers both the expertise as
well as the genetic material required to make trees, plants and
breeding animals more resistant and perform better, by using the
“best” genetic material.
➜SAFETY & SECURITY
(cid:3)(cid:5)
PROTECTING CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURES
Transportation hubs and other vital infrastructures attract
pickpockets and even terrorists. Many facilities, including power
stations, government ministries and banks need special protection –
in particular by means of innovative video surveillance systems.
➜ENERGY
(cid:3)(cid:6)
SMART GRIDS GO LIVE
It is a well-known fact that renewable sources of energy have
to be integrated more strongly in the energy infrastructure.
This can be done with the help of smart grids. In the Austrian
provinces of Vorarlberg and Salzburg they have become reality.
➜MOBILITY
(cid:7)(cid:7)
THE RIGHT DRIVE FOR E-MOBILITY
The cornerstone of sustainable e-mobility are economical yet
powerful electric drive concepts. With virtual design technology
from the AIT Mobility lab the necessary components and systems
can be rapidly and efficiently produced.
➜FORESIGHT & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
(cid:7)(cid:2)
KNOWLEDGE MAPS
A wealth of valuable information lies dormant among the data
continually being heaped up in the digital era. Aided by highly
Peter Palensky, Principal advanced techniques and tools, experts at the AIT Foresight &
Scientist at the AIT Austrian Policy Development Department are mining such hidden
Institute of Technology
knowledge treasures for AIT’s clients.
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02 ➜ CONTENT
The cover page of
the Tomorrow Today
December issue
features AIT Principal
DECEMBER_2011 Scientist Peter
TOMORROWTODAY
Palensky
Developing the technologies, methods and tools of tomorrow
(cid:2)HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT (cid:2)
TESTING FOOD USING MOLECULES
Bacterial infections caused by contaminated food continue to
be a serious problem even in the Western world. Novel detection SAFETY & SECURITY
methods, based on DNA or protein analysis, are providing a fast
abnevde rrealgiaebsl.e way of identifying bacterial contamination in food and 14 PROTECTING CRITICAL
(cid:3)(cid:4)
THE QUEST FOR THE BEST GENES INFRASTRUCTURES
The AIT Gene Resource Center offers both the expertise as
bwreelel daisn gth aen gimenaeltsi cm moraete rreisails rteaqnut iarendd tpoe mrfoarkme tbreetetse,r p, blayn utss ianngd the Transportation hubs and other vital
“best” genetic material. infrastructures attract pickpockets and even
(cid:2)SAFETY & SECURITY (cid:3)(cid:5) terrorists. Many facilities, including power
PROTECTING CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURES stations, government ministries and banks
Transportation hubs and other vital infrastructures attract
pickpockets and even terrorists. Many facilities, including power need special protection – in particular by
stations, government ministries and banks need special protection –
in particular by means of innovative video surveillance systems. means of innovative video surveillance
(cid:2)ENERGY (cid:3)(cid:6) systems.
SMART GRIDS GO LIVE
It is a well-known fact that renewable sources of energy have
to be integrated more strongly in the energy infrastructure.
This can be done with the help of smart grids. In the Austrian
provinces of Vorarlberg and Salzburg they have become reality. ENERGY
(cid:2)MOBILITY (cid:7)(cid:7) 18 SMART GRIDS GO LIVE
THE RIGHT DRIVE FOR E-MOBILITY
The cornerstone of sustainable e-mobility are economical yet It is a well-known fact that renewable
powerful electric drive concepts. With virtual design technology
from the AIT Mobility lab the necessary components and systems sources of energy have to be integrated
can be rapidly and efficiently produced.
more strongly in the energy infrastructure.
(cid:2)KNFOORWESLIGEHDTG &E P OMLAICPY SDEVELOPMENT (cid:7)(cid:2) This can be done with the help of smart
Aco wnetianlutha lolyf bvaelinugab hlee ainpfeodr mupa tinio nth leie dsi gdiotarlm earnat. Aamideodn gb yth heig dhaltya grids. In the Austrian provinces of
Peter Palensky, Principal advanced techniques and tools, experts at the AIT Foresight &
ISncsiteintutitset oaft Ttehceh AnIoTl oAguystrian Pknooliwcyle Ddegvee tlorepamseunret sD feopra ArItTm’se cnlti eanrets m.ining such hidden Vorarlberg and Salzburg they have become
reality.
MOBILITY
22
THE RIGHT DRIVE FOR
E-MOBILITY
The cornerstone of sustainable e-mobility
03 are economical yet powerful electric drive
INTRODUCTION
concepts. With virtual design technology
from the AIT Mobility lab the necessary
components and systems can be rapidly and
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
efficiently produced.
06
TESTING FOOD USING
MOLECULES FORESIGHT & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Bacterial infections caused by contaminated 26 KNOWLEDGE MAPS
food continue to be a serious problem even
A wealth of valuable information lies
in the Western world. Novel detection
dormant among the data continually being
methods, based on DNA or protein analysis,
heaped up in the digital era. Aided by highly
are providing a fast and reliable way of
advanced techniques and tools, experts at
identifying bacterial contamination in food
the AIT Foresight & Policy Development
and beverages.
Department are mining such hidden
knowledge treasures for AIT’s clients.
10
THE QUEST FOR THE BEST GENES
The AIT Gene Resource Center offers both
CAREER MODELS
the expertise as well as the genetic material 30
CAREER PATHS AT AIT
required to make trees, plants and breeding
animals more resistant and perform better,
by using the “best” genetic material. 31
SERVICE
IMPRINT. Media owner and publisher_Bohmann Druck und Verlag GesmbH & Co. KG., 1110 Vienna, Leberstraße 122, phone: [phone].
DVR:0408689. Management_Gabriele Ambros, Gerhard Milletich. Publisher_AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Tech Gate Vienna, Donau-City-Straße
1, 1220 Vienna, phone: [phone]. Editors-in-chief_Michael Hlava, e-mail: [email protected], Christ ian Klobucsar, e-mail:
[email protected]. Editors_Margit Noll, Daniel Pepl, Victoria Reinicke. Authors of this edition_Alfred Bankhamer, Raimund Lang, Angelika
Prohammer, Doris Griesser. Project management:_Daniel Pepl. Graphic design:_Anita Frühwirth/EFFUNDWE. Layout_Markus Frühwirth. Print_Leykam
Druck GmbH. & Co KG. Cover shot_Krischanz & Zeiller. Publication_6 times a year. Section 44 paras. 1 and 2 of the Austrian Copyright Act. ISSN 1994-
5159 (print), ISSN 1994-5167 (online). Free subscription via [email protected].
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➜ INTRODUCTION 03
TAKING STOCK
/// Dismissed as a hopeless basket case just three years ago,
AIT is established as Austria’s top research institute on an
international scale today, engaged in technology developments to
meet the "grand challenges" of the future with the emphasis on
infrastructure issues. ///
A CORPORATE TURNAROUND is regarded as the
ultimate achievement in the scale of ambitious
management goals. Both AIT’s owners, the Ministry
for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT)
and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) were
correspondingly skeptical when the new AIT
management presented to them the necessary
strategic plans three years ago. However, the
systematic new positioning and structural reform
produced the hoped-for result: today the
turnaround is well and truly under way; AIT, with its
new governance program, is widely seen as a model
of best practice, and it can point to a very
satisfactory order book.
AMBITIOUS TARGETS
At the AIT owners’ press conference on November
23, 2011 at Vienna TechGate, the owner representa-
tives Doris Bures, Austrian Infrastructure Minister,
and Veit Sorger, President of the Federation of
Austrian Industries, along with Hannes Androsch,
AIT President of the Supervisory Board, took stock.
In the early days of AIT many members of staff saw
this strategy and the new governance structure as a Happy about AIT's successful evaluation: Hannes
major opportunity; for AIT’s owner representatives, Androsch, President of the the Supervisory Board,
Doris Bures, Infrastructure Minister, and Veit Sorger,
however, it was more like a last chance. So in 2008 President of the Federation of Austrian Industries
it was agreed between the two shareholders, BMVIT
and the Federation of Austrian Industries, to tions originally stipulated by the Austrian Court of
evaluate AIT’s position after three years. Auditors was looked into and the strategy of the
In the course of this evaluation, over the last few company again thoroughly investigated by the
months its economic performance has been internationally renowned Strategic Research
reviewed, implementation of the 23 recommenda- Advisory Board (SRAB). The result was extremely
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04
INTRODUCTION
HANNES ANDROSCH///
President of the AIT
Supervisory Board
“AIT has been gathering pace
and has generated profits for
the fourth year in a row. Given
EUR 2 million. Since 2007 central administrative
this stable background, its
staff can show fully-fledged costs have been reduced by 16% or EUR 1.8 million.
performance.” “ Research contracts in 2010, worth EUR 121.8
million, were well up on the 2009 figure of EUR
107.2 million, and at EUR 60.5 million new
positive. AIT’s Strategic Research Advisory Board, contracts were also about 10% up year-on-year
which advises the company’s Supervisory Board, (2009: EUR 54.6 million).
issued a favorable testimonial for AIT's 2020
positioning strategy. MINOR STRATEGY ADJUSTMENTS
FIT FOR THE FUTURE Fine adjustments are still being made to the
strategy in the Health & Environment Department
The Federation of Austrian Industries will with the main emphasis on reinforcing its market
consequently strengthen its commitment to AIT, and customer orientation.
increase the number of members in the VFFI At marketing subsidiary Seibersdorf Labor GmbH
(Verein zur Förderung von Forschung und business activities in the field of toxicology will be
Innovation - Association for the Promotion of discontinued as of the end of this year. Toxicology,
Research and Innovation), and it has already one of our six Business Units, operates in a very
renewed its shareholder agreement. Says Veit tough international market with strong competition,
Sorger, President of the Federation of Austrian small profit margins and under heavy cost
Industries: “Industry stands firmly behind AIT as pressures. This measure will affect 26 employees
the undisputed Austrian research institution. With who will not only be catered for by a comprehensive
V
its focus on technology developments to meet the social plan but can also expect maximum support ud, I
a
g
grand challenges and its emphasis on the on the part of AIT in easing their transition to new Ri
T/
infrastructure issues of the future, AIT represents employment relationships. The other Business MVI
B
aTnh eim BpMoVrtITa,n tto pgaertthneerr wfoirth A tuhsetr IiVa ’sa nindd Suusptreyr.”v i sory Usuncitcse sastf uSlleyi boenr tshdeo rmf aLrakbeot.r GmbH are operating ogler ,
k
Board President Hannes Androsch, have ms
a
succeeded in putting AIT on track to be a national THE GRAND INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES nterr
Hi
research organization of international stature. e/
Federal Minister Doris Bures: “The new With its focus on eleven research topics in five ervic
os
positioning of AIT has been a resounding success; Departments AIT achieves the critical mass Fot
it has developed into an economically sound necessary to produce excellent results. Whether we PA-
A
company.” If it now systematically pursues this are talking about intelligent energy for smart cities, gy/
o
ol
path, AIT and its technological achievements will smart models for ground-breaking logistics and hn
continue in future to be an important player in multi-modal mobility solutions, sensors and of Tec
securing Austria’s reputation as a place to do procedures for the medical care of the future or ICT ute
business. nstit
n I
DInOfrRaIsSt rBuUcRtuErSe /M//inister ustria
AIT IS ECONOMICALLY SOUND T A
With profits on ordinary activities of over EUR 3.5 “AaApITsp’ rswo sepu rcciaacntee sc srlee sastrpoloryyn s,s eRee& t foDr ot ihmse t he Zeiller, AI
million in 2010, the company has produced a stable crisis. Premier performers like nz &
and satisfactory operating result. Although some AIT pave the way for Austria as ha
EUR 1.5 million will be reinvested in strategic the leader in innovation." Krisc
S:
research projects in the current year 2011, AIT still O
T
O
expects to achieve profits on ordinary activities of PH
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05
INTRODUCTION
VEIT SORGER///
President of the Federation
of Austrian Industries
“Given AIT's turnaround, we have
here a research organization that
security for critical infrastructures, such as the stands out in international
comparison. The Federation of
control centers of energy providers and transport
Austrian Industries will continue
operators, AIT researchers can call on the know- to play a central role.”
how and systems expertise needed to achieve
innovative solutions for their customers.
Board: “AIT has done excellent work in its early phase
“AIT 2020“ STRATEGIC PLAN and the strategy is beginning to bite. The company
To prepare the company for the challenges of the has made profits for the fourth time in succession
years to come, the owners have set it a number of and looks set to achieve positive earnings in 2011 as
key objectives. As the leading national research well. Nevertheless, it is important always to go on
partner of Austria’s industry, infrastructure tweaking the strategic direction and making
operators and public sector institutions, AIT is to adjustments. Our aim must be to be in the vanguard
aim for even greater visibility on the international in all our key research activities!“
scene as it addresses the key issues.
Each of AIT's five Departments is to establish its NEXT EVALUATION IN 2017
international reputation with at least one flagship
area. The focus will remain on the infrastructure Yet the positive trend of the last few years must not
issues of the future (energy, mobility, safety & be an excuse for resting on our laurels. So another
security, etc.). The Departments will aim to go on evaluation will take place in 2017 to check the
growing and successfully develop a critical mass strategy is the right one and that the numerous
with up to 250 staff in each Department. tasks that AIT will face up to 2020 really will be
delivered on. ///
,
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SCIENTIFIC
g
/ EXPERTISE
, One key objective is to capitalize on having a number AIT’S 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN
g of managers of international stature at AIT. This will
include appointing one or two Principal Scientists in nAIT is the major Austrian research institute engaged in
technology development to meet the grand challenges
each Department who will epitomize the excellence
of the future with the main focus on infrastructure
/ of the research activity beyond the national borders issues.
(editor’s comment: see also our interview with nCore business: research and technology development
Principal Scientist Peter Palensky on page 30). AIT nClose links with industry, business, infrastructure
operators and public sector clients.
will aim in the next few years to become one of nThe company aims in its various Business Units to:
gy/ Europe's leading career hotbeds for high potentials ldevelop lasting technology and systems expertise
and top international researchers within their fields l exercise its function as a national and international
of interest. network hub, and
l provide a central research infrastructure
Thanks to its firm foothold in European institutions, nAIts ambition: to be a leading research institution at a
AIT will reinforce its position as the essential national global level
hub for industry and as research partners for public nThe company will concentrate on key activities in which
sector institutions, making it a pillar of the national it will develop long-term solutions expertise and
maintain a rigorous connection between its
innovation system. With its international activities
, technological and substantive core competence and
AIT will in this way open doors for Austria’s business industrial demand on the one hand, and national and
community, securing it lasting access to human societal requirements and support on the other.
resources. AIT will thus make a significant nWithin the framework of the overall AIT strategy, each
Department will aim to establish a leading
contribution to securing and developing Austria as a
international position in selected fields of technology
center of industry and research. and to develop general systems competence with high
Hannes Androsch, President of the Supervisory potential for integration into clients' systems. ///
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06 ➜ HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
TESTING FOOD
USING MOLECULES
/// New detection methods based on DNA or protein analysis provide a fast and
reliable way of identifying bacterial contamination in food and beverages. Experts at
AIT are devising a variety of molecular tests to be used in detecting pathogens and
determining how they spread, or to analyze the effects of food additives. ///
l IN 2009,i.e. prior to the E. coli crisis, the European
IN A NUTSHELL
Food Safety Authority recorded 5,550 instances of
Bacterial infections caused by contaminated food continue to be a serious food-borne disease outbreaks within the EU, affecting
problem even in the Western world. Pathogens in particular, representing the
49,000 individuals and causing 46 mortalities.
most common cause of infections, pose a dangerous threat to human health.
Obviously, such diseases do not only affect developing
Such organisms therefore need to be identified quickly and precisely when
suspected as a cause. At AIT, molecular techniques that are both very fast and nations. In the Western world the problem is
highly precise are being developed for the purpose of detecting salmonella, exacerbated by aging societies as the elderly have
EHEC and similar pathogens, covering a broad spectrum of applications. The
increased sensitivity to pathogens and allergens in
research program at the Health & Environment Department also focuses on
food and drink. Consequently, top priority needs to be
innovative techniques for identifying food additives and their effects on the
human body as well as on protein-based quality control methods, used for given to reliable food testing and the development of
example for analyzing milk. appropriate techniques. As a research institution
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07
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
focused on practical applications, the AIT Health &
TANJA KOSTIC///
Environment Department has for years been working Scientist at the AIT
intensively on food safety issues. Health & Environment
Department
SOPHISTICATED DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS “We are working on two highly
complementary diagnostic tools
for detecting bacterial
“We are working on two highly complementary pathogens: protein-based
diagnostic tools for identifying bacterial pathogens methods and techniques at the
DNA level.”
such as salmonella or E. coli,” molecular biologist
Tanja Kostic reports. “These include protein-based
methods as well as techniques at the DNA level.” The RISK POSED BY POOR (KITCHEN) HYGIENE
two novel approaches are extremely fast compared
with conventional techniques. In a one-on-one What implications do these research findings have
comparison, the protein-based methods usually rate for practical life? “Guidelines for minimizing risks
better, at least in terms of speed and quantifying were prepared and distributed to farmers,” Kostic
capacity. “Yet they provide less detailed results, relates. The main focus was on the proper
making them very well- suited for certain types of treatment, storage and selection of organic
investigations but inappropriate for others,” Kostic fertilizers. Once pathogens reach vegetables, there
observes. If, for example, researchers wish to assess is no alternative to consistent hygiene practices in
how a pathogen will spread and the danger that it will the kitchen: thoroughly washing both fresh food as
pose, it will not do to merely identify its biological well as one’s hands continues to be the best method
genus. Such cases require more detailed typing. In of fighting food-borne infections. “Most cases of
response to this need, for example, experts at AIT disease in this area are to be attributed, in Europe
have worked in cooperation with research groups in as well as anywhere else, to poor kitchen hygiene,”
Canada and the UK to develop a DNA-based Tanja Kostic points out. “Actually, what we really
microarray for detecting the most common could do with are information campaigns about how
salmonella serotypes in Europe and North America. to wash your hands properly to raise people’s
awareness of the problem.”
RESEARCH TARGETS ORGANIC VEGETABLES
Pathogens, the most common cause of infections,
Even before the E. coli outbreak, the EU
PathOrganic project had been initiated with the aim must be identified quickly and accurately to enable
of gathering new knowledge about the occurrence
timely counteraction. In response to this need,
of pathogens in organic farming as well as ways of
avoiding their occurrence. As the Austrian partner AIT is developing molecular techniques for
in the project, AIT is providing substantial
detecting salmonella, E. coli and similar
contributions. “Animal feces are frequently used as
a natural fertilizer in organic farming,” Tanja Kostic strains, both very quickly and with high precision.
explains. “This kind of manure is often contaminated
with strains of enterobacteria such as E. coli or
salmonella that live in the animal’s intestine without ALPINE LIVESTOCK DISTRIBUTES PATHOGENS
harming it.” Such bacteria can then pass from the
manure to the vegetables and in this way be One of the research topics in this field that has been
ingested by humans. The analyses carried out by largely neglected to date involves the spread to
AIT experts using the DNA-based PCR (polymerase ground and surface water of pathogens originating
chain reaction) technique produced alarming from wild animals or alpine livestock. Within the
results, Kostic notes, “We were very surprised at the framework of a cooperative project funded by the
number of pathogens, for the most part salmonella Vienna Waterworks, scientists from AIT and from the
and E. coli germs, which we were able to detect both Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology (FIWI) at the
in manure and later on in vegetables. For that University of Veterinary Medicine analyzed the
reason the E. coli outbreak in the summer was droppings of wild and domestic animals living on
anything but a surprise.” Schneeberg, a mountain near Vienna. The object was
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08
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
to identify four frequently occurring pathogens.
CLAUDIA PREININGER///
Among the bacteria detected were salmonella, Senior Scientist at the AIT
Campylobacter spp. and pathogenic E. coli strains, Health & Environment
which could seep with rain into groundwater or Department
springs. How might this be prevented? “That would “Nano-particles are
be difficult with groundwater, but spring source increasingly used in food
additives. That is why we
areas could be closed off,” Kostic says. “Still, in want to develop specialized
Austria there is hardly any risk of drinking water detection systems.”
becoming contaminated because here, unlike many
other areas of the world, the water is purified and
disinfected,” the researcher notes, allaying any fears. carrier matrix in slim shake products. “Yet we still
don’t know what the effects of such particles are,”
WHAT ARE NANO-PARTICLES DOING IN THE the researcher says. “That is why we want to
SLIM SHAKE? develop specialized detection systems.” It is, in fact,
mainly because of the increasing use of nano-
In addition to DNA-based diagnostic techniques, AIT particles in food that a number of governments in
is developing protein-based methods for the fast Europe are planning to issue directives specifying
detection of pathogens in food. So far primarily used more stringent monitoring of food additives.
in medical diagnostics, it is envisaged that in future
such methods will also find increasing use in food COST-EFFECTIVE QUALITY CHECKS FOR MILK
analysis. The rapid test involves coating
microarrays or microtiter plates with antibodies Quality control in beverage production is yet another
that bind the targeted pathogens. The pathogens area in which AIT researchers are planning to use
can then be detected using a specialized optical protein-based rapid testing. Specifically, work is
system. “We are currently particularly interested in currently underway on a system for detecting
a technique for identifying food additives,” Claudia antibiotics and coliform bacteria in milk. The new
Preininger, scientist at the Health & Environment system is slated to be available for use within two
Department, reports. “The added particles, such as years. In contrast to previous measurement
silver, iron or silicates, can trigger intolerance techniques, the system will be capable of detecting
responses in some people, and we therefore wish to multiple and highly diverse analytes, with the
dsuebvesltoapn cmese.t”h o ds for detecting the effects of such pinodtuesnttriay lp orfo gdruecattiloyn e. n/h//ancing the efficiency of dairy entific
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09
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
ANDREW SOLDAN,
VLA SCIENTIFIC, ANIMAL
HEALTH AND VETERINARY
LABORATORIES AGENCY,
ABOUT THE CHALLENGES
TO FOOD SAFETY …
Mr. Soldan, what challenges
do you anticipate for food safety
inspection in the coming years?
General issues such as microbial
evolution, antimicrobial resistance, new production/preparation methods,
identification of source and tracing foodstuffs will continue to be important.
Risk based approaches are increasingly being adopted for food safety
inspections in response to the need for ever greater efficiency in terms of
effectiveness, inspectors time and industry compliance. In the UK Olympic
preparedness in relation to food safety is a key issue for 2012, not just
London as there are a wide range of venues.
AIT is developing molecular biological methods for fast and accurate
pathogen detection. What relevance do these technologies have in food
safety applications?
The speed of molecular tests can be advantageous in the rapidly moving
food supply chain. Having the result today rather than having to wait for
culture results can mean the detection of contamination before it enters the
consumer part of the food chain and help to improve efficiency in
distribution systems. The ability to detect dead organisms with molecular
tests means that root cause analysis of earlier contamination will be easier.
The speed, sensitivity and, in some cases, reduced cost of molecular tests
improves on existing methodologies. However some developments will not
simply be improvements on older technologies but step changes in the
detection ability. Multiplex tests able to detect multiple pathogens or genes
of interest (e.g. virulence genes or antimicrobial resistance genes) will lead
to better surveillance systems - many of which will be able to be automated
within processing plants. Sequencing techniques are dramatically
RESEARCH SERVICES improving the ability to trace back to the source of contamination. In the
near future hand held molecular detection systems will be used at the point
At AIT, DNA-based diagnostic tools are being developed of decision and routine submission to a sophisticated laboratory will not be
,
that surpass by far the limitations inherent in necessary except for further analysis.
conventional techniques for pathogen detection and
immunological typing. The Department can draw on a In your view, when will these new methods become firmly established on
/ platform for DNA-based serotyping of salmonella, and the market?
offers a molecular microarray-based method for Standard real time PCR tests are already well established and run routinely
parallel detection of a range of bacterial food and water in many laboratories. Currently there is very significant investment being
gy, pathogens. put into in-clinic molecular detection systems for human medicine. These
Another focus is on the development of customized small desk top machines require little user knowledge to generate accurate
DNA-based detection methods (including qPCR results within 30 to 60 minutes. This investment will lead to several
analysis) and protein-based rapid tests. AIT experts competing systems on the market that will then be looking for other
provide expertise and implementation services for avenues to generate revenue. The food safety sector will be high on the list
every step in the development process – ranging from of potential markets and companies will be looking for tests that are
probe and assay design and immobilization on suitable for running on their machines. Within 5 years I believe that there
membranes, slides and microtiter plates through to will be very significant developments in this market and food safety
optical detection (using fluorescence or absorption) laboratories, often located very close to the point of sampling, will be
, and data analysis. running these tests routinely. Routine salmonella serotyping is likely also to
n Molecular biological technologies (PCR, microarrays) move to molecular methods within the next five years. ///
for the detection and quantification of micro-
organisms
n Development of immunological tests for bacteria,
food additives and chemical residues
n Development of customized DNA and protein-based
detection techniques for various applications ///
HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT ➜
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10 ➜ HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
THE QUEST FOR THE
BEST GENES
/// The AIT Gene Resource Center offers both the expertise as well as the genetic
material required to increase resistance and improve productivity in trees, plants
and breeding animals by using the “best” genetic material. ///
l
IN A NUTSHELL THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS, WHICH JUST
CAME TO A CLOSE, , has once again heightened
More than half a million DNA samples originating from plants and animals are
people’s awareness of the vital role played by forests
stored under high-tech conditions at AIT’s Gene Resource Center. The repository
as a natural resource in Austria. We benefit in many
affords scientists access to decoded genetic material from all over Europe along
with the corresponding scientific documentation and makes it available for ways from our forests. In terms of the multiple uses
scientists’ individual use. Forestry also makes use of this unique system of of forests, Austria is in fact regarded as a model for
resources in joint research with AIT experts, for instance to identify particularly
other countries. Commercial use of our forests
resistant genotypes of various tree species. Together with partner
renders substantial profits and wood prices are high
organizations, AIT has also begun performing estimates of genomic breeding
values (GBV) for young bulls, a procedure enabling predictions to be made about while ecological conditions remain satisfactory. A
a calf’s future performance. prerequisite for continually redefining and