Award details

Molecular pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)

Reference	BBS/E/I/00000981
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor David Paton
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,736
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/10/2002
End date	30/09/2005
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The severe negative impact of FMD on animal health and trade is a consequence of the fast replication of the virus in combination with the multiple routes of transmission, the susceptibility of a number of species as well as the capability of FMD virus to establish a persistent infection (carrier state) in ruminant animals. The project will continue and expand ongoing studies on the molecular pathogenesis of FMD in pigs and ruminants. Both the acute stage as well as the persistent state (ruminants only) of the infection are of concern. The studies will focus on new molecular techniques such as real-time RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and laser dissection microscopy (LDM). The data obtained will further our understanding of this important disease and will possibly pave the way for a knowledge-based development of vaccines capable of preventing persistent infection. The objectives of the project are to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of FMD in order to understand the infectious process, the disease mechanisms and the immune responses in detail. Knowledge from such studies may help in the subsequent development of efficient vaccines or even therapeutics. The studies will focus on sheep, cattle and pigs exposed by direct or indirect contact to FMD virus type O UKG 2001 and potentially also other FMD virus strains. Samples are collected at various days after exposure and analysed for virus load and for antibody response. In addition, selected samples are further analysed by in situ hybridization and LDM in connection with RT-PCR analysis of LDM-dissected cell populations to identify the specific cell populations involved in virus replication and to indicate mechanisms involved in clearance of the infection.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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