Mission:
The mission of the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit is directed towards (1) using a genomics approach to gain fundamental understanding of the regulation of aflatoxin biosynthesis at the gene level; (2) characterization of antifungal compounds and genes governing production of antifungal compounds for use in biotechnological applications to control toxin-producing fungi or other fungi that reduce the quality and safety of foods and feeds; (3) elucidation through genomics of the complex mechanisms governing expression of genes/enzymes which regulate aflatoxin synthesis during the plant-fungus interaction; (4) manipulation of agroecosystems involving complex interactions between the toxin-producing fungus, other endemic microflora and the crop plant to reduce levels of fungus and/or toxin in field environments; (5) characterization of the mechanisms of induction of isoflavonoids in legumes and phytoestrogen activities of these compounds in animal systems; and (6) integration of research information into practical procedures for assuring a safe, domestic supply of food and feed.