Attention: Assignment & Photo Editors

Experts available to discuss E. coli crisis in Europe

Hamilton, Ont. June 03, 2011—McMaster University has experts available to discuss the widespread implications of the deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe.

Microbiologist Herb Schellhorn can discuss the genetic structure, growth and adaptation of E. coli bacteria. He heads a laboratory that specifically examines E. coli, and is a professor in the Department of Biology. He prefers to schedule phone interviews by email at schell@mcmaster.ca . His office number is 905-525-9140, ext. 27316.

Brian Coombes can discuss the development and virulence of E. coli. He is a researcher in McMaster’s Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and an assistant professor of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Coombes was recently in Washington DC speaking to the FDA, the Federal Food Inspection Service and the food industry about emerging Shiga toxin-containing E. coli. His lab has sequenced the largest collection of these pathogens to date, to get a handle on their genetic makeup. Coombes can schedule interviews by email at coombes@mcmaster.ca. His office phone number is 905-525-9140 ext. 22159.

-30-

For more information contact:

Michelle Donovan

Public Relations Manager

McMaster University

905-525-9140, ext. 22869

donovam@mcmaster.ca

Wade Hemsworth

Public Relations Manager

McMaster University

905-525-9140, ext. 27988

hemswor@mcmaster.ca