Keralite biotechnologist to track US mad cow case

Monday, 12 January 2004, 20:30 IST
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The US government has sought the help of Nebraska-based biotechnology company co-founded by a Keralite to track down the origin of the mad cow disease that has seriously hurt its beef exports. Lincoln, Nebraska-based GeneSeek Inc. will use DNA markers to track the parentage, and thus origin, of the first case of mad cow disease detected in the US, its co-founder and CEO, 38-year-old Abraham Oommen, said in a company release. "Tracking of animals and animal products is the next frontier in defending the safety of our food supply," Oomen said, contending that GeneSeek had developed expertise and capabilities for DNA testing. This would enable one to trace the origin of an animal or plant and its products, which was essential for the country of origin labelling programme. GeneSeek initially analyses DNA samples, using what is known as an expanded set of short tandem repeat (microsatellite) markers. These are the most common types of DNA tests to track both cattle and human parentage. An automated DNA analysis system is used to analyse identity. The DNA samples are next analysed with another set of test called single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This was established by US Department of Agriculture scientists as a "next generation" cattle parentage and identity testing platform, the release said.
Source: IANS