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To mitigate the impact of animal diseases on the economics of agriculture and on public health. Program objectives are: <ol>
<li> To develop a recombinant vaccine using alpha-herpes virus as a vector for type A influenza virus to allow large production of flu virus antigen in a short timeframe (Jin); <li> To determine the genetic difference between alpaca BVDV and bovine BVDV (Jin); <li> To determine the efficacy and biocompatibility of various forms of chitosans in controlling hemorrhages (Gustafson); <li> To develop conditions under which the Chlamydia suis genomic island that carries a tetracycline resistance gene can be used as a tool for transformation of chlamydia (Rockey); <li> To identify the various proteins of Vibrio parahaemolyticus that are expressed during association of the bacteria with oysters as part of an effort to develop novel targeted intervention strategies to increase seafood safety and reduce occurrence of seafood-borne illnesses (Hase); <li> To replicate highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses in pigs in a long-term effort to study the molecular bases of the ability of a virus to spread among a range of hosts and the pathogenicity of influenza viruses (Pastey); <li> To define the role of a sensorhistidine kinase, Spo0A in sporulation-regulated Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) synthesis (Sarker); <li> To identify bacterial genes involved in early stages of infection, or entry of the intestinal mucosa, by Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Bermudez). </ol>
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The consequences of disease have severe implications, both on the economics of agriculture as well as on public health. The identification of disease mechanisms, animal models, vaccines, and antibiotic resistance can bring much needed development to agriculture. This project will focus on understanding the genetic makeup of pathogens and infection processes in animals, developing recombinant vaccines, controling hemorrhages, and developing diagnostic tools and models.
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APPROACH: Researchers will investigate different pathways for how viruses and bacteria operate or distribute in animals and shellfish, identify genetic transformation systems, find molecular mechanisms underlying Vibrio bacterial-shellfish interaction and CPE synthesis, and identify how disease interacts with internal organs and cellular wall. Experiments will be conducted to determine persistence of infection. Diagnostic tools for detection and control plus mew generation recombinant vaccines and chitosan bandages will be developed. IBC and IACUC approval will be sought when experiments and procedures are finalized.