The National Research Council's Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS) has signed a two-year collaborative research agreement with Calgary-based Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. The research holds significant promise of including an antibody in cattle feeds leading to the elimination of E. coli O157 from the cattle digestive systems. Specifically, the research will focus on an antibody food safety project aimed at evaluating antibodies developed at IBS as agents (orally administered through livestock feed) for the reduction of pathogen loads in animals prior to slaughter, with a particular focus on E. coli O157. The dangers of E.coli O157 out-breaks, such as the tragic event of Walkerton, Ontario, can potentially be eliminated by the removal of the organism from the cattle reservoir.

"By pooling our resources in the field of antibody engineering, NRC and Dow AgroSciences can forge ahead in food safety research and development -- an area of growing importance to Canada and all Canadians," said NRC President Dr. Arthur Carty.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $3 billion. Dow AgroSciences is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information, please visit Dow AgroSciences.

NRC's research programs include projects carried out with partners in industry, universities, hospitals and other R&D organizations. The Immunochemistry Program at NRC's IBS will bring its expertise in the structure of E.coli O157 cell surface antigens, antibody engineering and a model system for the inhibition of animal colonization by E.coli O157.

The National Research Council (NRC) is the federal government's most powerful instrument for supporting scientific research, development and innovation in every region of Canada. NRC has Canada's leading S&T knowledge and information resource, the Canada Institute for Science and Technical Information (CISTI). NRC's labs, facilities and offices are found in most of Canada's major centres and in over 90 locations across Canada through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).

For more information:

Nathalie Gour
National Research Council Canada
Media Relations
Tel: (613) 990-6091
[email protected]

Robyn Heine
Dow AgroSciences LLC
Communications Manager
Tel: (317) 337-4807
[email protected]