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Bioinformatics

Goldbelt provides bioinformatics experts to assist the CDC and FDA in collecting and analyzing biological data, such as genetic codes and sequencing. Our experts work with complex samples to increase knowledge and strengthen databases related to a variety of public health projects.

Antimicrobial Resistance Research Support for CDC NCEZID

Goldbelt is providing bioinformatics support to the CDC National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP). The mission of DHQP is to protect patients; protect healthcare personnel; and promote safety, quality, and value in both national and international healthcare delivery systems. Our team works within the Clinical and Environmental Microbiology Branch (CEMB) to study continuing threats from antimicrobial resistance such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), pandemic and bioterrorism.

Goldbelt is currently supporting the CDC with bioinformatics analyses for the identification and subtyping of healthcare-associated and emerging pathogens. We perform protocols and analyze epidemiologic data, and data generated from conventional and real­ time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing, and/or metagenomic analysis of samples related to healthcare-associated infection and other emerging pathogen studies. We also perform bioinformatics analysis of complex samples, including characterizing the microbial communities, identifying antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and other functions using appropriate bioinformatics tools and databases. Our team performs bioinformatics analysis of complex samples, including characterizing the microbial communities, identifying antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and other functions using appropriate bioinformatics tools and databases. We also perform protocols and analyze epidemiologic data and data generated from conventional and real­ time PCR, next-generation sequencing, and metagenomic analysis of samples related to healthcare-associated infection and other emerging pathogen studies. We are also working to enhance existing systems used for genotypic, phenotypic, epidemiological, and demographic data.

FDA CFSAN GenomeTracker Sequencing Support

Goldbelt is providing bioinformatic support to FDA laboratories within the Division of Molecular Biology (DMB) and Division of Virulence Assessment (DVA) in the Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment (OARSA) of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN FDA).

Our team is working to provide contributions of new E. coli whole genome sequences to FDA CFSAN’s GenomeTrakr. Our bioinformatics experts support the assembly and sequencing quality controls necessary before depositing into public databases. We are generating new whole genome sequences of Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter from manure and compost, water, and produce samples using Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq platforms and Oxford Nanopore platforms. We are also generating metagenomic sequencing-based pathogen detection methods for hazard-commodity analysis. The expected outcomes will support the FDA’s continuing efforts to define several aspects of emerging foodborne pathogens and identify new and robust biomarkers for translation into regulatory methods development.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, our team also began expanding this work to study the virus. Our team began developing a next-generation sequencing method for use in the surveillance of SARS-COV-2. The techniques utilized in these projects include: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing, centrifugation, filtration, and tissue culture.