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About the Speaker

Jason Neal-McKinney, PhD
Research Microbiologist
Applied Technology Branch (ATB)
Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL)
Office of Food and Feed Laboratory Operations (OFFLO)
Office of Regulatory Science (ORS)
Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dr. Jason Neal-McKinney is a research microbiologist in the Applied Technology Branch at the Pacific Northwest Food and Feed Laboratory. Current research by Dr. Neal-McKinney is focused on evaluating new sequencing technologies and developing assays to detect bacteria and parasites in FDA regulated foods. Dr. Neal-McKinney’s previous work experience includes research and development for the IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group.  He obtained his PhD in Microbiology from Washington State University.

About the Presentation

Whole genome sequencing enables the FDA and other public health laboratories to identify, characterize, and track foodborne pathogens based on their genetic sequence. This seminar will focus on bacterial genome sequencing using the MinION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies, an inexpensive and portable sequencer that can be used to complement current sequencing strategies.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the advantages and limitations of whole genome sequencing using MinION.
2. Explain how the length and quality of the raw data affects the assembled genomes.
3. Discuss the software tools needed to analyze and assemble data from the MinION.

Webcast Recording

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