Source Identification of unknown E.coli strain on a genetic level

Essentially, the purpose of the project was to attempt to identify the source (host species) of an infecting species of the enteric bacteria E.coli. It's based on the concept that enteric bacteria of the same species or even strain will differ slightly on a genetic level based on the species that hosts them. The is due to part of the hosts genetic material eventually becoming incorporated with that of the bacteria species. Ultimately resulting in strains of the same enteric bacteria species differing on a genetic level. By taking enteric bacteria from known sources and creating a genetic profile of these, it is then possible to identify the unknown host (source) of the same species of enteric bacteria.