expand host-pathogen-environment interaction (hpei) program new tools to fight disease &...
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Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program
Pathogens
Env- iron-ment
Hosts
HHHooosssttt---PPPaaattthhhooogggeeennn---EEEnnnvvviiirrrooonnnmmmeeennnttt IIInnnttteeerrraaaccctttiiiooonnn
VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space
EXTRA -MURAL GRANT
FUNDING
NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE
NEW PREVENTATIV ES Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Vectors
PathogenSystems Biology
JOBS & COMPANIES
Governor’s Research Initiative Faculty Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment
New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism
Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Governor’s InitiativeFaculty positionsStartupEquipment
Systems biology approach
Synergy & critical mass
Modified from the 2003 proposal
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 1. Novel diagnostics
Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae
Comparison ofgene contents of3 Brucella species
Genomics based Genomics based diagnostic array diagnostic array
Detection of Detection of biodefense biodefense agentsagents
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 2. What makes a pathogen?
Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae
Comparison ofgene contents of3 Brucella species
What makes a What makes a particular strain particular strain pathogenic? pathogenic?
StrainStrain RB51 as a RB51 as a Platform VaccinePlatform Vaccine
Brucella RB51 Vaccine
Vaccinate animals
Vaccinate animals
Immune response
ChallengeChallenge
Protectionagainst Brucella
Conventional RB51 vaccine Over-expression of heterologous antigen
protectiveantigen
gene forprotectiveantigen
Heterologousantigen
Immune responseagainst the over-expressed antigen and Brucella
Protection againstBrucella and otherPathogen !
New Strain RB51derivatives:
• RB51/TB• RB51/anthrax• RB51/Neospora
• All new vaccinesshow partial or complete protectionin mice.• Studies need to bedone in other animals!
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 3. Vaccine Development
http://www.sirinet.net
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 4. Control of Vector-Borne Diseases
Vector-borne infectious diseases are major threats to US & the world
Burden; Grand challenges; Biodefense agents category A, B, and C
Vector, the missing link in infectious disease research
Vector-borne infectious diseases, a rapidly expanding research community at VT
Taking advantage of the innate immunity of vectors
Behavioral differences betweenrelated species or subspecies
Odorant receptors (ORs) and odor detection
Mosquito lineage-specific expansion, >70 OR genes
Comparative genomics: What are the genetic basis for mosquito host finding behavior?
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 5. How does a vector find its host?
•Do these related pathogens use similar molecular strategies to manipulate their hosts?
•Comparative genomics will be used to identify candidate genes that promote disease.
•We hope to identify an “Achilles Heel” to be targeted for pesticide development or genetic resistance.
Downy Mildew*
Potato Late Blight
Soybean Root Rot*
Sudden Oak Death*
*Genome projects underway at Virginia Tech
What HPEI research has to offer?Example 6. Comparative genomics of plant
pathogens
Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program
Pathogens
Env- iron-ment
Hosts
HHHooosssttt---PPPaaattthhhooogggeeennn---EEEnnnvvviiirrrooonnnmmmeeennnttt IIInnnttteeerrraaaccctttiiiooonnn
VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space
EXTRA -MURAL GRANT
FUNDING
NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE
NEW PREVENTATIV ES Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Vectors
PathogenSystems Biology
JOBS & COMPANIES
Governor’s Research Initiative Faculty Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment
New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism
Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Governor’s InitiativeFaculty positionsStartupEquipment
Systems biology approach
Synergy & critical mass
Modified from the 2003 proposal