Hua Wang

wang.707@osu.edu

Assistant Professor, Microbiology,
Assistant Professor, Food Science and Technology.
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1998

Biofilm formation involving food-borne pathogenic and health-promoting microorganisms

Biofilm Formation

My lab is interested in studying the mechanisms of biofilm formation involving food-borne pathogenic and health-promoting microorganisms.  Particularly, we are interested in L. monocytogenes biofilm development and the interaction of L. monocytogenes with other microorganisms in ecosystems.  Our recent major findings include that conjugation can serve as an important mechanism for biofilm development in the Gram-positive bacteria Lactococcus lactis, and that commensal organisms can enhance pathogen persistence through mixed culture ecosystem development (conference reported, manuscripts in preparation).  We are currently investigating the risks and benefits associated with biofilms of food-borne microorganisms.  We will further explore the functionality of food ingredients on microbial ecosystem development using established screening model.

Rapid Molecular Detection

To facilitate technology transfer, we are also involved in developing rapid molecular detection systems for agricultural and food industrial applications.  Our first generation of the CleanPlant detection system is based on real-time Taqman PCR technology to detect the presence of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms within hours directly from selected foods.  We are currently interested in developing the second generation of the detection system using a cutting-edge technology to expand the coverage spectrum and to incorporate new features including microbial identification.

Marsh EJ, Luo L, Wang H. 2003. A three-tiered approach to differentiate Listeria monocytogenes biofilm-forming abilities. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 228:203-210.

Luo H, Yousef AE, Wang HH. 2004. A real-time polymerase chain reaction-based method for rapid and specific detection of spoilage Alicyclobacillus spp. in apple juice. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 39:376-382 .

Connor CJ, Luo H, McSpadden-Gardener BB, Wang HH. 2005. Development of a real-time PCR-based system targeting the 16S rRNA gene sequence for rapid detection of Alicyclobacillus spp. in juice products. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 99:229-235.

Luo H, Wan K, Wang HH. 2005. High-frequency conjugation system facilitates biofilm formation and pAMß1 transmission by Lactococcus lactis . Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:2970-2978.

Hanna SE, Connor CJ, Wang HH. 2005. Real-time polymerase chain reaction for the food microbiologist: technologies, applications, and limitations. J Food Sci. 70:49-53.

Pettipher GL, Jay JM, Wang H. 2005. Microbiological Techniques. In Encyclopedia of Analytical Science, Second Edition (Worsfold PJ, Alan Townshend A, Poole CF, eds.), Elsevier Science, Oxford , UK . Vol. 6, pp. 16-24.

Wan K, Yousef AE, Schwartz SJ, Wang HH. 2006. Rapid, specific and sensitive detection of spoilage molds in orange juice using a real-time Taqman ® PCR assay. J Food Protect. 69:385-390.

Wang HH, Manuzon MY, Lehman M, Wan K, Luo H, Wittum TE, Yousef AE, Bakaletz LO. 2006. Food commensal microbes as a potentially important avenue in transmitting antibiotic resistance genes. FEMS Micrbiol Lett. 254: 226-231. Erratum in: FEMS Microbiol Lett. 255:328.

Lu L, Tomita A, Wang H, Buchholz DR, Shi YB. 2006. Transcriptional regulation of the Xenopus laevis stromelysin-3 gene by thyroid hormone is mediated by a DNA element in the first intron. J. Biol. Chem. 281:16870-16878.

Hanna SE, Wang HH. 2006. Environmental factors affect the expression of Listeria monocytogenes virulence factor inlA . J Food Protect. 69(11):2754-2757.

Blaschek PH, Wang HH, Agle M. (eds.) 2006. Biofilms in the Food Environment. Blackwell Publishing Co.

Hanna ES, Wang HH. 2006. Biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes . In Biofilms in the Food Environment. (Balschek HP, Wang HH, Agle M, eds.). Blackwell Publishing Co.

Manuzon MY, Wang HH. 2006. Mixed Culture Ecosystem. In Biofilms in the Food Environment (Balschek HP, Wang HH, Agle M, eds.). Blackwell Publishing Co.

Wang HH. 2006. Methodologies for genetic study and modification of bacteria: gram-positive bacteria. In Encyclopedia of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food (Bridges A, Hoove DG, Wheeler MB, eds). Marcel Dekker. (Accepted).

Manuzon MY, Hanna SE, Luo H, Harper WJ, Wang HH. 2007. Development of a real-time PCR method to quantify antibiotic resistance gene pool in retail dairy products. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2007 Jan 5; [Epub ahead of print]

Jaykus L, Wang HH, Schlesinger L. (eds). Foodborne Microbes: Shaping the Host Ecosystems. ASM Press. In progress.

Links

Department of Food Science and Technology