Genomic and Post Genomics of Salmonella and Mycobacterium as Paradigms of Intracellular Pathogens

A China Partnership Award has been given to Prof. P. Barrow and Dr. T. Coffey for a period of three years for the introduction to the Chinese Agricultural University, Beijing of genomics and post-genomic approaches to exploring the biology of host-pathogen interactions using Salmonella and Mycobacterium as paradigms of intracellular bacterial pathogens.
Training post-doctoral researchers and post- graduate scientists from CAU will be given in techniques of genomic analysis and transcriptional analysis using microarrays. <P>
One of the major aims is the establishment of genomic analysis and bioinformatics programmes at CAU to study host-pathogen interactions using macrophages and dendritic cells and to identify novel targets for immunological intervention. This will involve investigation into the development of array-based methods of strain typing in avian Salmonella serovars and Mycobacterium bovis and M. bovis BCG focussing on Asian strains and BCG Beijing. Research proposals will form an integral part of this collaboration, hopefully funded through Chinese and European organisations. Workshop and seminar-based approaches will also be used for problem solving and data analysis. <P>
A commercial partner, based in Beijing, is involved for the application of this work to the field situation.