Research Interest: Biomass to biofuels and chemicals, Lignin conversion to materials and chemicals, Green Pre-treatment technology development, Hot water pretreatment optimization; Microwave/ultrasonic assisted pretreartment; Gene-modified energy crops; Structural change on biomass during the pretreatment, Pretreatment Reactor development

Research Interest: Plans to Combat Desertification, ill ages of Khuzestan Province Using AHP Model, Small and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture Sector Technical problems of gardening

Research Interest: 1. Proteomic analysis of Plant-microbe interactions with special reference to plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis;

2. Effects of PGPB and AM fungi on crop quality with particular interest in food quality improvement;

3. Effects of PGPB and AM fungi on plants exposed to biotic (phytopathogenic fungi and phytoplasma) and abiotic (heavy metals) stresses; 

4. Analysis of soil quality using microorganisms as bioindicators;

5. Effects of essential oils on opportunistic human pathogen; 

6. Proteomic of clinical pathogens.

Research Interest: Investigation of chemical composition and technological properties of plant products, and evaluation of its influence on nutrition value; creation new analysis methods and new food technologies, developing HPLC methods for phytoestrogens in plant products

Research Interest: Nutrition with emphasis on how nutrition (amino acids) and diet affect growth performance, immune system, oxidative balance, and nutritional absorption. Meanwhile, oxidative stress (birth and weaning oxidative injury), antioxidant signal, oxidative stress-inflammation, and antioxidant agent (such as amino acids) are also focused.

2005: Ph.D. in Sciences and Technologies of Food Productions, Division of Microbiology,
Department of Food Science, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055, Portici
(Naples) Italy. PhD thesis title: “Study of the native microflora during the production of fermented
foods”, tutor Prof. Salvatore Coppola. For 11 months of this PhD course, Vincenzina Fusco was
research fellow (granted by the Department of Food Science of the University of Naples Federico II)
at the Food Science Department of the Cornell University Ithaca, NY (USA), carrying out research
activities on the Real-time PCR detection of Staphylococcus aureus using an integrated microfluidic
platform, (as part of a project on Food Safety and Security Research Rapid Methods Development,
supported by the FDA Grant #06000002499A) under supervision of Prof. Carl A. Batt.

Permanent position as Researcher at the Institute of Sciences of Food Production - National Research
Council of Italy (CNR - ISPA) (non-profit public body/governative research organization;
http://www.ispa.cnr.it), Via Amendola 122/O, Bari, 70126, Italy.

Research Interest: Development and application of culture- dependent and independent- nucleic acid-based methods to identify, quantitatively detect and type food associated pathogenic bacteria.1

List of Publications:
Book chapters.

Book chapters

Fusco, V., Abriouel, H., Benomar, N., Kabisch, J., Chieffi, D., Cho, G.-S., Franz, C.M.A.P. 2018.Opportunistic foodborne pathogens.Chapter 10. In: Food safety and preservation: modern biological approaches to improving consumer health.1st Edition.Editors: Alexandru Grumezescu  Alina Maria Holban.Academic Press. ISBN: 9780128149560. pp 269-306.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012814956000010X

Fusco, V.,Blaiotta G., Becker K. 2018. Staphylococcal food poisoning.Chapter 12.In: Food safety and preservation:modern biological approaches to improving consumer health.1st Edition. Editors:
Alexandru Grumezescu and Alina Maria Holban. Academic Press.

ISBN: 9780128149560. pp 353-390.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128149560000123

Fusco V., Oguntoyinbo F. A., Franz C. M.A.P. 2017. Fermentation to improve food security in Africa
and Asia. Chapter 12 in: Soft Chemistry and Food Fermentation, Volume 3: Handbook of Food
Bioengineering. Pages 337–378. Editors: Alexandru Grumezescu Alina Maria Holban. Imprint:

Academic Press (Elsevier). Paperback ISBN: 9780128114124. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811412-4.00012-6

Cady C. N., Fusco V.,Maruccio G., Primiceri E.,Batt A.C. 2016. Micro  and nanotechnology based

approaches to detect pathogenic agents in food. In: Volume 8  "NANOBIOSENSORS  Nanotechnology
in the Agri-Food Industry. Pages 475–510. Ed. Alex Grumezescu. Academic Press. eBook ISBN:
9780128043721. Hardcover ISBN: 9780128043011.

Fusco V. *, Quero G.M. 2012. Nucleic acid-based methods to identify, detect and type pathogenic
bacteria occurring in milk and dairy products. In: Structure and function of food engineering. InTech.
Ed. Ayman Amer Eissa. ISBN 978-953-51-0695-1.

Fusco, V*., 2008. DNA-based biosensors for spoilage bacteria detection. In: Materialy Pomocnicze w
technologii browarniczej - Auxialiry materials in brewing technology. ISBN: 978-83-60958-11-7.

Papers on ISI ranked Journals:

Flynn, K., Villarreal, B.P., Barranco, A., Belc, N., Bjornsdottir, B., Fusco, V., Rainieri, S., Smaradottir, S.E.,
Smeu, I., Teixeira, P., Jörundsdóttir, H.Ó. (2018). An Introduction to Current Food Safety Needs, Trends in
Food Science & Technology, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.09.012.

Franz, C.M.A.P., den Besten, H.M.W., Böhnlein, C., Gareis, M., Zwietering, M.H., Fusco, V. (2018).
Microbial food safety in the 21st century: emerging challenges and foodborne pathogenic bacteria, Trends in Food Science & Technology 81, 155-158 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.09.019.

Faggiano G, Chieffi D, Logrieco AF, Fusco V*. 2018. Effect of refrigeration and probiotic adjunct on
pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in raw milk for direct human consumption Journal of Food
Processing and Preservation. 42, e13499. DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.13499.

Oguntoyinbo FA, Fusco V, Cho G-S, Kabisch J, Neve H, Bockelmann W, Huch M, Frommherz L,
Trierweiler B, Becker B, Benomar N, Gálvez A, Abriouel H, Holzapfel WH, Franz C M. A. P. 2016.
Produce from Africa’s gardens: potential for leafy vegetable and fruit fermentations. Frontiers in
Microbiology 7:981. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00981.

Fusco V*, Quero MG, Chieffi D, Franz, MAPC. 2016. Identification of Lactobacillus brevis using a speciesspecific AFLP-derived marker. International Journal of Food Microbiology 232: 90-94.
Primiceri E, Chiriaco MS, de Feo F, Santovito E, Fusco V, Maruccio G. 2016. A multipurpose biochip for
food pathogen detection. Analytical Methods 2016: 10.1039/C5AY03295D.

Fusco V*., den Besten HMW, Logrieco AF, Rodriguez FP, Skandamis PN, Stessl B, and Teixeira P. 2015.
Food safety aspects on ethnic foods: toxicological and microbial risks. Current Opinion in Food Science. 6:24-32.

Abriouel H, Lerma LL, del Carmen Casado Munoz, Montoro BP, Kabish J, Pichner R, Cho G-S, Neve H,

Fusco V, Franz CMAP, Galvez A, Benomar N. 2015. The controversial nature of the Weissella genus:

technological and functional aspects versus whole genome analysis-based pathogenic potential for their
application in food and health. Frontiers in microbiology (IF. 4) 6:1197. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01197

Fusco, V.*, Quero, G.M., Cho, G., Kabisch, J., Meske, D., Neve, H., Bockelmann, W. Franz, C.M., 2015.
The genus Weissella: taxonomy, ecology and biotechnological potential. Frontiers in Microbiology 6:155.
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.00155.

Di Lena, M., Quero, G.M., Santovito, E., Verran, J., De Angelis, M., Fusco, V.*, 2015. A selective medium
for isolation and accurate enumeration of Lactobacillus casei-group lactobacilli in probiotic milks and dairy
products. International Dairy Journal, 47: 27-36. doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2015.01.018.

Fusco V.*, Quero G.M. 2014. Culture-dependent and -independent nucleic acid-based methods used in the
microbial safety assessment of milk and dairy products. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 13 (4): 493–537.

Quero G.M., Santovito E., Visconti A., Fusco V.*, 2014. Quantitative detection of Listeria monocytogenes
in raw milk and soft cheeses: culture-independent versus liquid - and solid - based culture-dependent real
time PCR approaches. LWT- Food Science and Technology. 58: 11-20.

Quero M.G., Fusco V.*, Cocconcelli P.S., Owczarek L., Borcakli M., Fontana C., Skapska S., Jasinska U.T.,
Ozturk T., Morea M., 2014. Microbiological, physico-chemical, nutritional and sensory characterization of
traditional Matsoni: Selection and use of autochthonous multiple strain cultures to extend its shelf-life. Food Microbiol. 38: 179–191.

On, S.L.W., Brandt, S.M., Cornelius, A.J., Fusco V., Quero, G.M., Maćkiw, E., Houf, K., Bilbao, A., Díaz,
A.I., Benejat, L., Megraud, F., Collins-Emerson, J., French, N.P., Gotcheva, V., Angelov, A., Alakomi, H.-
L., Saarela, M., Paulin, S.M.*. 2013. PCR revisited: a case for revalidation of PCR assays for
microorganisms using identification of Campylobacter species as an exemplar. Quality Assurance and Safety of crops & foods 5: 49-62.

Borcakli M., Lucas J., Caputo L., Ozturk T., Baruzi F., Fusco V., Quero G.M., Quintieri L., M. Houghton.
2013. Effect of UV-C light in the preservation of raw fermented beverages. Ital. J. Food Sci. 25: 213-221.

Fusco V.*, Riccardi, M., Quero G.M. (2012). Thin agar layer- versus most probable number-PCR to
enumerate viable and stressed Escherichia coli O157:H7 and application in a traditional raw milk pasta filata cheese. International Journal of Food Microbiology 159: 1–8.

Fusco V.*, Quero G.M., Stea G., Morea M., Visconti A. (2011). Novel PCR-based identification of
Weissella confusa using an AFLP-derived marker. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 145, 437-443.

Fusco V.*, Quero G.M., Morea M., Blaiotta G., Visconti A. 201). Rapid and reliable identification of
Staphylococcus aureus harbouring the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) and quantitative detection in raw milk by real time PCR. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 144, 528-537.

Blaiotta, G.*, Fusco, V., Ercolini, D., Pepe, O., Coppola, S. 2010. Diversity of Staphylococcus strains based on partial kat (catalase) gene sequences and designs of a PCR-RFLP assay for identification and differentiation of coagulase positive species (S. aureus, S. delphini, S. hyicus, S. intermedius, S.
pseudintermedius, and S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans). Clin. Microbiol. 48: 192-201.

Aponte, M.*, Fusco, V., Andolfi, R., Coppola, S., 2008. Lactic acid bacteria occurring during manufacture
and ripening of Provolone del Monaco cheese: Detection by different analytical approaches. International
Dairy Journal. 18: 403–413.

Blaiotta, G.*, Fusco, V., Ercolini, D., Aponte, M., Pepe, O., Villani, F., 2008. Diversity of Lactobacillus
strains based on partial HSP60 gene sequences and design of PCR-RFLP assays for species identification and differentiation. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 208–215.

Blaiotta, G.*, Fusco, V., von Eiff, C., Villani F., Becker, K., 2006. Biotyping of enterotoxigenic
Staphylococcus aureus by enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) polymorphism and spa-typing analyses. Applied
and Environmental Microbiology 29: 375-381.

Lechiancole, T., Blaiotta, G., Messina, D., Fusco, V., Villani F., Salzano, G.*, 2006. Evaluation of intraspecific diversities in Oenococcus oeni through analysis of genomic and expressed DNA. Systematic Applied Microbiology 29: 375-381.

Coppola, S., Fusco, V., Andolfi, R., Aponte, M., Blaiotta, G., Ercolini, D., Moschetti, G.*, 2006. Evaluating
microbial diversity during the manufacture of “fior di latte di agerola”, a traditional raw milk cheese of
Naples area. Journal of Dairy Research 73 (3): 264-272.

Ercolini, D.*, Fusco, V., Blaiotta, G., Sarghini F., Coppola, S., 2005. Response of Escherichia coli
O157:H7, Salmonella thyphimurium, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus to the stresses
occurring in model manufactures of Grana Padano cheese. Journal of Dairy Science 88: 3818-3825.

Ercolini, D., Fusco, V., Blaiotta, G., Coppola, S.*, 2005. Sequence heterogeneity in the lacSZ operon of
Streptococcus thermophilus and its use in PCR systems for strain differentiation. Research in Microbiology, 156: 161-172.

Blaiotta, G., Ercolini, D., Pennacchia, C., Fusco, V., Casaburi, A., Pepe, O., Villani, F.*, 2004. PCR
detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes in Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from meat and dairy
products. Evidence for new variants of seG and seI in S. aureus AB-8802. Journal of Applied Microbiology
97: 719-730.

Ercolini, D., Blaiotta, G., Fusco, V., Coppola, S.*, 2004. PCR-based detection of enterotoxigenic
Staphylococcus aureus in the early stages of raw milk cheese making. Journal of Applied Microbiology 96:
1090-1096.

Research Interest: Food nutrition and allergy, Soybean anti-nutritional factors, Efficient utilization of dietary nutrients and intestinal Health.

Biography: Jinsong Bao is currently a professor in the Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. He received his B.S. (1993) and M.S. (1996) degrees in horticulture from Zhejiang Agricultural University, and his Ph.D. degree in biophysics from Zhejiang University in 1999. His research interests are in molecular genetics of rice quality, more specifically in the areas of starch quality, nutritional quality, genetic mapping, and molecular breeding. His current research projects are 1) new markers for SSIIa gene and their relation to gelatinization temperature, 2) candidate gene mapping for rice quality and yield, and 3) molecular breeding of new rice high in nutraceutical properties and health benefits. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed research articles and three book chapters in these areas, and has received two professional awards for his achievements in the genetic study and molecular improvement of rice quality from Zhejiang Provincial Government. He has awarded the "Young Scientist Research Award" from AACCI, and Zhejiang Young Science and Technology Award from the Zhejiang Association of Science and Technology. He has traveled and worked extensively in Hong Kong and USA. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in mutational genetics, and developmental biology in plants. He is a member of the editorial board of the Cereal Chemistry (SCI), Genes & Genomics (SCI), and Open Journal of Genetics.

Research Interest: Rice Quality: Genetics & Molecular Breeding

PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the Federal University of Paraná (2006); Master in Microbiology from the State University of Londrina (1998) and graduated in Biological Sciences from the State University of Londrina (1995). Full Professor at the Federal Technological University of Parana (UTFPR) since 2007. CNPq productivity fellow (2008-2011). Reviewer of journals: Foodborn pathogens and disease; Mycopathology; Africa Journal of Microbiology Research; The Open Microbiology Journal; The Brazilian Journal of Microbiology; Semina - Agrarias; Semina - Biology and Health; Archives of Oral Biology; Mycoses; Journal of applied Microbiology. Editorial Board member of the Journal of Microbiology and Laboratory Science and South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology. Member of the London Journal Press.Works on the following topics: general and medical microbiology; food microbiology; biotechnology. It acts specifically in: analysis of microbiological indicators of water; analysis of virulence determinants; resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobials and heavy metals; analysis of probiotic strains of Enterococcus and of acidic bacterias; analysis of antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins); biofilm formation. Member of the Araucaria Foundation Area Advisory Committee. Researcher at Fundação Araucária. Professor of academic master's programs: Food Technology and Environmental Engineering.

Research Interest: food microbiology; microbiology; food control

URL: CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/6007117281861512

Number of Publications: 65 articles

Research Interest: Gut microbiome; Synbiotics; Microbial evolution; Food safety; Human nutrition; Epidemiology

Biography: Mengfei Peng achieved his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (joint concentration of molecular/cellular biology and animal sciences) from the University of Maryland, USA, where he worked on procommensal strategies against enteric bacterial infections. Currently, he is continuing his research as a postdoctoral scientist focusing on the development of novel probiotics in modulation of gut microbiome, prevention/control of enteric diseases, and improvement on human health.

Number of publications: 14

Research Interest: Rice, Sorghum, Transgene, Bioinformatics, Abiotic Stresses, Protein Quality.

Research Interest: Agronomy, Agricultural Entamology

Research Interest: Application of plant extract as natural additives to the different food system as well as functional food product development.

Research Interest: Modified Atmospheric Packaging, Bioactive Food Packaging, Rechargeable Antimicrobial Materials, Biocatalytic Materials, And Non-Fouling Materials.

Research Interest: Plant Genetics, Plant Physiology, Meteorology, And Soil Science. Agronomy