Award details

A facility to support the study of integrated molecular expression in animal disease systems

Reference	REI20534
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Peter Billingsley
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Alan Bowman, Dr Catherine Sue Jones, Professor Chris Secombes, Professor John Speakman
Institution	University of Aberdeen
Department	Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	94,631
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	25/09/2003
End date	24/03/2005
Duration	18 months

Abstract

The aim of this application is to develop a core research facility in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen that will allow the study of gene expression in animal disease systems. The application seeks funds to purchase a microarray scanner to allow genome and transcriptome analysis of organisms under experimental and challenge conditions. The scanner will also provide the crucial first step in assessing gene responses in animals where the genome is poorly covered. Quantitative gene expression cannot be studied accurately using arrays so a real time thermal light cycler is requested that will allow detailed and accurate studies on the expression at the mRNA level of genes of interest. The final step in the gene expression process, the study of the mature protein, requires suitable probes, in this case antibodies. A Proteomaster Rapid Translation System will allow the reliable expression of recombinant peptides with shared antigenicity to the native protein, and recombinant peptides used to raise antibodies for in vivo expression studies and for vaccination. Functional studies on the recombinant peptides will also be performed when appropriate. The project will support the scientific activities of five senior academics with a combined team of over 50 research staff. These comprise part of the School of Biological Sciences research theme in Integrative Physiology. The equipment requested will support current BBSRC-funded projects and address the following areas of research: lectin genes expressed in the mosquito during malaria infections; salivary gland genes of mosquitos and ticks recognised by or modifying the host immune response; vaccines against ectoparasitic arthropods; tick salivary gland physiology; response of B-lymphocytes to immunomodulators; immune genes in fish; ageing genes in mice and insects; genes in snails and salmon conferring resistance to disease agents.

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	Research Equipment Initiative 2003 (RE2) [2003]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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