Food Analytical Immunotechnology (FAIg)

  1. Research

Food Quality and Preservation

Food Analytical Immunotechnology (FAIg)

iata faig

Description

Development of rapid analytical methods based on antibodies for the immunodetection of chemical residues (pesticides, plant growth regulators, additives, antibiotics,...), biotoxins, and organic contaminants in food and environmental samples.

Objectives

  • - Synthesis of functionalized derivatives (haptens) of organic molecules relevant in food safety and quality
  • - Characterization of the factors determining the immune response, in terms of affinity and selectivity, to low molecular weight compounds. Studies on the relationship between the structure of functionalized organic molecules and the features of the derived antibodies.
  • - Preparation of bioconjugates suitable for the development of immunoanalytical methods. Development of new conjugation techniques.
  • - Polyclonal antibody production and generation of hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies to analytical targets of interest in foodstuff, particularly new fungicides and emerging contaminants.
  • - New tracers and detection systems allowing the development of fast, sensitive and affordable analytical tools.
  • - Development of rapid immunochemical methods uselful in food safety and quality.
  • - Development of new biomaterials able to enhance the immune response to haptens.
  • - Implementation of the new generated immunochemical tools into diverse analytical platforms, including ELISA, immunoaffinity columns, lateral flow immunoassays (immunochromatographic strips) and biosensors.
  • - Transfer of our immunoreagents to food diagnostic companies.

Research staff