Next generation sequencing applied to food safety. A new professional profile

Abstract

Abstract The advent of “omics” is transforming Biological Sciences. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Food Safety represents a challenge for Clinical Microbiology and Public Health. A new professional profile which combines different domains represents a strategic lever to increase competitiveness in this field. The Erasmus+ project Learning Genomics for Food Safety(LEGO) is aimed at defining an innovative profile, the Food Microbial Bioinformatician (FMB), a professional able to use NGS technologies applied to the analysis of food-borne pathogens. FMB bridges diverse professional areas within processes integrating Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics and Microbiology. It mixes hard/technical and soft skills and competencies to be applied in different sectors. LEGO is carried out by a European consortium (UH, UTP,UNIVAQ, AINIA, UdAnet), led by IZSAM.Desk and in-field research activities have been conducted at European level to define the FMB profile, leveraging on: national/international professional classification; the 4C model, clustering the profile in 4 areas of hard and soft skills(primary - cognitive, individual, social; organisational interpersonal behaviours). The new profile development process is made of three key phaces. First of all, a questionnaire has been delivered to almost 50 experts within the Consortium to set the draft scheme concerning FMB roles, activities and competences. Secondly, a broad range of relevant stakeholders have beeninvolved for deepening relevance, frequency and complexity of each professional dimension. Finally, the collected information guided the Consortium through the validation of the new profile at the European level. The definition of a comprehensive, standard FMB profileallows to: analyse existing curricula and training gaps; ground customised modular training programmes to fill in the gaps; increase Food Safety, promoting continuous training in a sector strongly influenced by the evolution of technology. Key messages Professional excellence bridging different areas (both scientific and technical).Health System innovation for wellbeing and professional development of carrier pathways and mobility.