Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2010MT228B

Student Fellowship: Rapid detection of pathogens in water using a combination of molecular techniques

Institute: Montana
Year Established: 2010 Start Date: 2010-03-01 End Date: 2010-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $1,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Kien Lim

Project Summary: Many types of pathogens can be found in contaminated water, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Cryptosporidium, Giardia lambilia, some protozoa and viruses such as hepatitis A virus, rotaviruses, and Norwalk and other Caliciviruses. Infection by these pathogens can range from self-limiting diarrhea to life threatening illnesses. Therefore we want to find ways to prevent infection of pathogens due to water contamination; when the water source is contaminated many in the general public will be affected. There are many methods available to test for pathogens in water. Most techniques require overnight culture to produce high cell numbers before screening to confirm the presence of a pathogen can be carried out. These methods are very time consuming and due to the time needed for the culturing and screening procedures, many more people might have already being infected before the results are confirmed so the public can be informed.