- Advanced Materials by Design: Theory and Computation
- African Diaspora and the Atlantic World Research Circle
- Agroecology
- American Indian Studies
- Bioethics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biophotonics
- Chemical Biology
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Sciences
- Communication Technologies Research
- Comparative Political Economy
- Comparative U.S. Studies
- Computational Sciences
- Computational Systems Biology
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Sciences
- Cultural Studies in a Global Context
- Disability Studies
- Energy Sources and Policy
- Expressive Culture and Diversity in the Upper Midwest
- Food Pathogens and Toxins
- Functional Brain Imaging
- Functional Organic Materials
- Genomics
- Global Governance and International Finance
- Initiative for Studies in Transformational Entrepreneurship
- Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program
- International Environmental Affairs and Global Security
- International Public Affairs
- Land Use
- Law, Society and Justice
- Mathematical Physics - String Theory
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Molecular Biometry
- Nanophase Inorganic Materials and Devices
- Political Economy
- Poverty Studies
- Religious Studies
- Science and Technology Studies
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
- Structural Biology
- Symbiosis
- Translational Research - Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Very High Energy Astrophysics and Cosmology
- Visual Culture
- Vitamin D
- Women's Health Research/Biology of Sex and Gender Differences
- Zebrafish Biology
Cluster focus
The cluster’s goals are to develop innovative, responsive and competitive research programs, and to foster collaborations with UW-Madison faculty who conduct research applicable to food safety issues. The faculty in the cluster study how to control microbial pathogens and toxins involved with foodborne diseases and illnesses, and provide advice on biosecurity against use of foodborne microbes and toxins in bioterrorism. The Food Pathogens and Toxins Cluster was designed to integrate with and enhance the cutting edge research of the Food Research Institute (FRI). The FRI is internationally recognized for its over 60 years of pioneering efforts in food safety research. Its office is housed within the Microbial Sciences Building which features state of the art facilities for microbiological research. The FRI is a campus model of interdisciplinary research and of the “Wisconsin Idea” in action. Its core faculty have their tenure homes in seven departments and affiliate appointments in multiple departments, centers, and programs in four different Schools and Colleges at UW-Madison. FRI and cluster faculty regularly consult with and advise scientists and regulatory staff at the FDA, USDA, EPA and other federal and state agencies (Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory). The FRI Applied Food Microbiology and Safety Laboratory conducts research and testing of food products and formulations to ensure a safe food supply for the public. FRI faculty and staff also teach and conduct workshops and wet labs on campus, and at conferences organized by food producer groups, professional societies and government agencies.
Cluster accomplishments
- Cluster faculty members garnered significant funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U. S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative, Burroughs Welcome Foundation, and a variety of private enterprises (food industry, foundations, etc.).
- Cluster faculty collectively published over 100 research papers in high impact journals, and served as speakers and organizers at national and international conferences.
- At least six patents have been issued for research conducted by cluster faculty at UW-Madison.
- Cluster faculty developed new courses and participated in interdisciplinary teaching across campus. Examples of new courses include "Biology and Genetics of Filamentous Fungi", "Non-Conventional Modification of Macromolecular Material Surfaces", and "Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism".
- Cluster outreach activities were coordinated primarily by FRI. These activities include meetings and symposia, quarterly newsletters, briefs on specific food safety topics, and communications with consumers, food industry, regulatory agencies, and other researchers on food safety issues.
- Cluster faculty developed collaborations between scientists in engineering and biological disciplines addressing concerns regarding food pathogens and toxins. Examples include use of cold plasma technology to coat surfaces to reduce microbial contamination and biofilm formation; and development of nanobiosensors for rapid detection of various food toxins and pathogens.
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Cluster faculty are studying how to treat and destroy Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium, protozoa that cause illness following ingestion of contaminated food or water.
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The cluster will facilitate new collaborations with plant pathology faculty investigating how bacterial pathogens adhere to and contaminate fresh produce.
Cluster structure
The Food Pathogens and Toxins Cluster faculty enhance a group of distinguished affiliated faculty that is a part of the Food Research Institute. Cluster faculty are affiliated with and teach courses in their own areas of specialization in the Food Microbiology and Toxicology Department, and/or cluster-related courses in their home departments. As such, cluster faculty foster new interdisciplinary efforts both as members of the department and the Food Research Institute. Cluster faculty also participate with affiliated faculty and students via the bimonthly seminars.
Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean
Cluster Coordinator
- Chuck Czuprynski, Professor, Pathobiological Sciences and Interm Director, Food Research Institute
Cluster Faculty
- Jeri Barak, Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology
- Nancy Keller, Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Plant Pathology
- Laura Knoll, Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Jaehyuk Yu, Associate Professor, Bacteriology
Lead Dean
- Molly Jahn, Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences