Project Number: 3625-32000-093-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Apr 15, 2004
End Date: Apr 14, 2009

Objective:
The Johne's Disease Integrated Program (JDIP) is a multi-institutional USDA program that has the major objective of combating Johne's Disease. This will be done through focused research on several key areas in Johne's Disease. The program is designed such that there are four main research projects and four scientific cores. The principle investigators receiving subcontract funds (John Bannantine and Judy Stabel) are directing two of the scientific cores entitled, Genomics, Antibodies & Proteomics (GAP) and Animal Models & Facilities (AMF). The primary goal of the GAP core is to develop and distribute tools, reagents, and protocols that leverage recent technological advances in genomics and proteomics for members of the JDIP community and stakeholders. The primary goal of the AMF core is to develop and validate animal models and to provide uniform care and maintenance of animals utilized as experimental models for investigations conducted within JDIP.

Approach:
The GAP core will develop an oligonucleotide array representing all genes in M. paratuberculosis (Map). This core will also produce a clone set of the coding sequences in Map. It will also make available transposon mutants for JD research. The AMF core will perform two specific tasks. (1) Assemble and maintain a current listing of available BL-2 certified animal facilities at various JDIP sponsored institutions and (2) establish calf-challenge models for JD research including study of the immune response to virulent Map and candidate vaccines. Biosafety certification pending.