Award details

Molecular studies of Bluetongue and related viruses

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001446
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Peter Mertens
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	745,579
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2009
End date	31/03/2012
Duration	33 months

Abstract

A reference collection of ‘well documented’ orbivirus isolates, including BTV, EHDV and AHSV from around the world, has been established at IAH (see : http://www.reoviridae.org/dsRNA_virus_proteins/ReoID/orbiviruses.htm), as a basis for molecular epidemiology studies. The collection and associated sequence database include novel virus isolates and historical isolates from other laboratories. Sequence data generated (by this and associated projects) are used to help identify the origins and movements of individual orbivirus strain/lineages. They also represent an important resource for the design, evaluation and maintenance of existing and novel diagnostic assay systems, and vaccine development at IAH and elsewhere. Sequencing studies of individual orbivirus genome segments (by this and associated projects) provides information concerning the biological properties (structure/function), relationships, and continuing evolution of these viruses, particularly within European ecosystems. Purification and expression of virus particles and individual proteins of BTV, related orbiviruses and other arboviruses provides a basis for crystallisation trials, X-ray crystallography and structural determination. Antibodies raised against viruses, and individual viral proteins, will provide reagents for replication studies, assay and vaccine development (by this and associated projects). The project will also work towards developing reverse genetics systems for the orbiviruses and other multi-segmented dsRNA arboviruses, providing unique opportunities to explore relationships between gene sequence and biological properties of individual proteins and viruses.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health, Microbiology
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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