Research interests

The primary emphasis of my current research is protecting human heath against food poisoning and bacterial infection. First, I identify functional ingredients from natural fruit, plant, and microorganisms. I study antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well as mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds on cellular and molecular levels against human pathogens. The research (bioactive compounds in cranberries, blueberries, and Chinese herbs) has attracted significant attention and interests from people all over the world. I am interested in:

o   identifying alternative methods or bioactive compounds that can be efficient, effective, convenient, and safe to eliminate human pathogens and prevent human disease.

o   utilizing natural bioactive compounds that possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, or anticancer activity as natural alternative additives for increasing nutrient value and protecting human health against food poisoning and  chronic disease.

o   studying mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds

o   utilizing nanotechnology in developing value-added bioactive products.

Second, I utilize modern technology such as nanotechnology, immunoassay, and molecular technology in developing methods to understand, detect, and control human pathogens. I develop biosensors for early detection, enumeration, identification, and characterization of human pathogens. In particular, I am interested in developing answers to the following questions:

o   Rapid detection methods such as immunological and molecular methodology hazards have been developed during the last decade. However, what is the reliable and truly rapid detection of low contaminant levels in a complex sample matrix?

o   Many of new biosensor detection methods cannot be applied directly to real field due to the presence of interfering materials and low levels of targets. How to solve this problem and develop an applicable protocol?

To address these, I focus on developing rapid sample preparation and enrichment methods followed by rapid detection methods, especially utilizing molecular approaches and nanotechnology to achieve truly rapid, sensitive, practical and reliable detection of pathogens.

Third, I am interested in identifying bioactive compounds of food in relation to the prevention and treatment of cancer disease. After identifying antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of natural bioactive compounds and investigating mechanism pathway and gene expression levels, culture studies and anticancer properties of the identified bioactive compounds are explored.  

Many of my projects have been collaborated nationally and internationally with professionals in the U.S., Taiwan, China, and Italy.

Publications

• Wu, V.C.H.*, X. Qius, B. de los Reyesc, C.S. Linc, and Y.J. Panc. 2008. Application of cranberry concentrate (Vaccinium macrocarpon) to control Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef and its antimicrobial mechanism related to the downregulated slp, hedeA and cfa. Food Microbiol. In press. Available online: Sept. 25, 2008. 10.1016/j.fm.2008.07.014.
• Wu, V.C.H.* 2008. A Review for Injury of Microorganisms. Food Microbiol. 25: 735-744. (Review article)
• S-H Chens, V.C.H Wu†, and C-H Linc*. 2008. Using oligonucleotide-functionalized Au nanoparticles to rapidly detect foodborne pathogens on a piezoelectric biosensor. J. Microbiol. Meth. 73: 7-17.
• Wu, V.C.H.*, X. Qius, A. Bushwayc, and L. Harpers. 2008. Antibacterial effect of American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on foodborne pathogens. LWT-Food Sci. Technol. 41: 1834-1841.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and C.C. Wu. 2008. Filtration and removal of foodborne pathogens using dielectrophoretic phenomena. J. Rapid Meth. Auto. Mic. 16: 69-79.
• Wu, V.C.H.*, X. Qius, and Y-H. P Hsiehc. 2008. Evaluation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in apple juice with Cornus fruit (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) extract by conventional media and thin agar layer method. Food Microbiol. 25: 190-195.
• Qiu, Xs. and V.C.H., Wu*. 2007. Evaluation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus in ground beef with cranberry concentrate by Thin Agar Layer Method. J. Rapid Methods and Auto. in Microbiol. 15: 280-292.
• V.C.H., Wu* and Kim, Bs. 2007. Effect of a simple chlorine dioxide method for controlling five foodborne pathogens, yeasts and molds on blueberries. Food Microbiol. 24: 974-800.
• Zheng, X.D.c*, T.Tu, B. Hung, and V.C.H. Wu*. 2007. Inhibiting Penicillium expansum infection on pear fruit by Cryptococcus laurentii and cytokinin. Postharvest Biol. Tec. 45: 221-227.
• Wu, V.C.H., S-H Chens, and C-H Linc*. 2007. Real-time detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 sequence using a circulating-flow system of quartz crystal microbalance. Biosens. Bioelectron. 22: 2967-2975.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fungc. 2006. Simultaneous recovery and detection of four heat-injured foodborne pathogens in ground beef and milk by a four-compartment thin agar layer plate. J. Food Safety. 26: 126-136.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fungc. 2006. The investigation of microbial succession and comparison between deMan Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) and Kang-Fung media in fermented vegetables (pickle). J. Rapid Meth. Auto. Mic. 14: 337-348.
• Wu, V.C.H., V. Gill, R. Oberst, R. Phebus, and D.Y.C. Fung*. 2004. Rapid Protocol (5.25 hr) protocol for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef by an immuno-capture system (Pathatrix) in combination with Colortrix and CT-SMAC. J. Rapid Meth. Auto. Mic. 12: 57-67.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2004. An improved method for Iso-Grid Hydrophobic Grid Membrane Filter (HGMF) system to detect heat-injured foodborne pathogens in ground beef. J. Food Sci. 69: 85-89.
• Wu, V.C.H.*, R.D. Oberst, and D.Y.C. Fung. 2004. Evaluation of a 5’-Nuclease (TaqMan) assay with the thin agar layer Oxyrase® method for the detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in ground pork samples. J. Food Prot. 67: 271-277.
• Wu, V.C.H., P. Jitareerat and D.Y.C. Fung*. 2003. Comparison of the Pulsifier and the Stomacher on recovering microorganisms in vegetables. J. Rapid Meth. Auto. Mic. 11: 145-152.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2003. Simultaneous recovery of four injured foodborne pathogens in the four-compartment thin agar layer plate. J. Food Sci. 68: 646-648.
• Wu, V.C.H.*, M. M. Muenzenberger, S. Kapil, and D.Y.C. Fung. 2003. Stability of SARS-like Coronavirus in ground beef. Proceedings of the food Safety Consortium. Published in CD.
• Wu, V.C.H., D.Y.C. Fung*, and R.D. Oberst. 2003. Evaluation of a 5’-Nuclease (TaqMan) assay with the thin agar layer Oxyrase® method for the detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in ground pork samples. Proceedings of the food Safety Consortium. Published in CD.
• Wu, V.C.H., V. Gill, R. Oberst, R. Phebus, and D.Y.C. Fung*. 2003. Rapid Protocol (5.25 hr) protocol for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef by an immuno-capture system (Pathatrix) in combination with Colortrix and CT-SMAC. Proceedings of the food Safety Consortium. Published in CD.
• Wu, V.C.H., P. Jitareerat and D.Y.C. Fung*. 2003. Comparison of the Pulsifier and the Stomacher on recovering microorganisms in vegetables. Proceedings of the food Safety Consortium. Published in CD.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2002. Evaluation of recovery capacity in commercial nonselective media and modified nonselective media and the development of thin agar layer Oxyrase® method for recovery of heat-injured foodborne pathogens. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 226-248.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2002. Evaluation of the thin agar layer Oxyrase® method for recovery of heat-injured foodborne pathogens in liquid medium and food systems. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 249-270.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fungc. 2002. Simultaneous recovery and detection of four heat-injured foodborne pathogens in ground beef and milk by a four-compartment thin agar layer plate. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 213-212.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2002. Simultaneous recovery of four heat-injured foodborne pathogens from a four-compartment thin agar layer plate. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 203-212.
• Wu, V.C.H., D.Y.C. Fung*, D.H. Kang, and L.K. Thompson. 2001. Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of acid-injured foodborne pathogens. J. Food Prot. 64: 1067–1071.
• Wu, V.C.H. and D.Y.C. Fung*. 2001. Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of heat-injured foodborne pathogens. J. Food Sci. 66: 580–583.
• Wu, V.C.H., D.Y.C. Fung*, and D. H. Kang. 2001. Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of cold-injured foodborne pathogens. J. Rapid Methods and Auto. in Microbiol. 9: 11–25.
• Wu, V.C.H.* and D.Y.C. Fung. 2001. Simultaneous recovery of four injured foodborne pathogens in the four-compartment thin agar layer plate. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 30-38.
• Wu, V.C.H. and D.Y.C. Fung. 2001. Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of cold-injured foodborne pathogens. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 39-38.
• Wu, V.C.H., D.Y.C. Fung*, D.H. Kang, and L.K. Thompson. 2000. Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of acid-injured foodborne pathogens. The Food Safety Consortium. pp. 51-69.