Revolutionizing food safety research through next-generation sequencing technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology
Access Galaxy ServerThe High Throughput Sequencing Initiative (IHTSI) at the Institute for Food Safety and Health revolutionizes food safety research using cutting-edge next-generation sequencing technology. Our mission is to collaborate with FDA and IFSH scientists to improve food safety and quality through innovative genomic approaches.
We focus on analyzing major foodborne pathogens including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, examining food environments from production to consumption. Our research encompasses microorganism identification, food spoilage detection, and provides crucial support to regulatory and health agencies.
The IHTSI laboratory primarily focuses on microbiological research and bioinformatics tool development, with special interest in applying AI and machine learning to solve biological problems using big data. We welcome external researchers interested in applying HTS technology and offer comprehensive laboratory and analytical services to the food industry.
Research Assistant Professor & Laboratory Director
Email: bimanian@iit.edu
Phone: 708-563-8171
Research Scientist in Microbial Genomics
Email: rtian@iit.edu
Phone: 708-563-8169
Visit our Galaxy server at hts.iit.edu/galaxy to access these tools
Automatically analyze prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data using QIIME 2 and other tools. This pipeline provides comprehensive analysis of microbial communities.
Predict the location (chromosome or plasmid) of contig sequences from input FASTA files using advanced machine learning algorithms for accurate genomic classification.
Build phylogenomic trees based on 20 validated bacterial core genes (VBCG) with input of whole genome sequence FASTA files, providing high-resolution phylogenetic analysis.
The 2025 IFSH Annual Meeting and Task Force Groups at the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont, IL. This year's topic: Wellness Through Food Safety & Health.
Specialized workshop on bioinformatics data analysis, focusing on Galaxy platform and our custom tools. Perfect for researchers and industry professionals.
Join us for the latest advances in high-throughput sequencing technology and its applications in food safety research. Registration now open.
Successfully conducted symposium focusing on advances in HTS technology applications in food safety research and industry implementation.
Virtual symposium adapting to pandemic conditions while maintaining high-quality scientific exchange and networking opportunities.
Specialized webinar exploring the intersection of HTS technology and predictive microbiology in food safety applications.
Hands-on workshop providing practical training in whole genome sequencing techniques and data analysis methods.
Landmark symposium establishing the foundation for ongoing collaboration between food safety researchers and HTS technology experts.
Previous symposiums and workshops that built the foundation for the IHTSI, establishing industry partnerships and research collaborations.
Illinois Institute of Technology
10 West 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312.567.3000
Website: hts.iit.edu
Galaxy Server: hts.iit.edu/galaxy
We maintain an Industry Advisory Committee (IIAC) with 32 representatives from 19 food companies, trade unions, and associations, as well as an Industry-Governmental Agencies Council (IIGAC) with representatives from FDA, CDC, and USDA.