To Mistra
Anna-Ida Johnsson
Safety Assesment
Department of Microbiology
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Box 7025
SE-750 07 Uppsala
Sweden

Phone: +46-18-67 32 06
Fax: +46-18-67 33 92
E-mail: Anna-Ida.Johnsson@mikrob.slu.se

MSc Johnsson is developing strain-specific molecular markers for safety assessment of microorganisms with applications in biocontrol and bioremediation. Today, the safety assessment field has been lacking relevant methods to study the effects that these strains have on the ecosystems into which they are released. By using short, random primers, RAPD-PCR (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) results in specific fingerprints for each genome. Single, unique bands can be cloned and developed into SCAR markers (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region). These markers will facilitate in studies on survival, spreading and indigenuity to the natural system.
The project is financed by SLF (Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning) and is part of the DOM programme financed by MISTRA.


MSc Johnsson presented her master thesis in molecular biology at Södertörn University College, Sweden, in 2004 and has conducted research at the Clinical Research Centre, Örebro University Hospital and at ARCAM, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. and is PhD student at the Department of Microbiology, SLU, since May 2005.
.