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Research Project:
GENETIC AND BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF AVIAN TUMOR VIRUS SUSCEPTIBILITY
Location: Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory
Project Number: 3635-32000-015-00
Project Type:
Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 04, 2007
End Date: Feb 28, 2012
Objective:
Identify genetic predictors of Marek's disease virus (MDV) virulence.
Identify host-viral genetic determinants that control avian tumor virus
pathgenicity and shedding. Elucidate the genetic determinants that modulate
MDV interactions within the avian immune system. Elucidate host-viral
interactions that drive the evolution of new virulent strains of avian
tumor viruses. Discover safe and highly effective vaccine platforms that convey protection against emerging MDV strains.
Approach:
Avian tumor viruses of economic importance include: 1) Marek¿s disease
virus (MDV), a herpesvirus that induces a lymphoproliferative disease of
chickens that, in the absence of effective control measures, is capable of
causing devastating losses in commercial layer and broiler flocks; and 2)
avian retroviruses, namely avian leukosis virus (ALV) and
reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), both are associated with neoplastic
diseases and other production problems in poultry. Also, both ALV and REV
are potential contaminants of live-virus vaccines of poultry. Critical
needs are: 1) better MDV vaccines to protect against the current and next
generation of virulent field strains of MDV; and 2) a long-term strategy
designed to reduce the ongoing emergence of new virulent MDV, and creation
of recombinant ALVs through multiple barriers or reduction in viral load
and shedding. The primary emphasis will be on molecular approaches to
better understand which viral genes are important for immunopathogenesis
and shedding of MDV. Parallel studies will monitor the virulence of field
strains of MDV and ALV. Studies are also aimed at characterization of new
virus isolates and on improving assays for their detection; additional
efforts will be devoted to better understand MDV immunity. The project also
emphasizes studies on: 1) elucidating factors involved in creation of
recombinant ALVs; and 2) determining whether REV genome insertion into MDV
and fowlpox virus influences transmission and epidemiology of REV. The end
product will be a better understanding of viral gene function, virus-host
interactions and the development of materials and improved methodology for
control of avian tumor viruses. BSL-2; recertified 8/31/06 valid through 8/30/09.
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Last Modified: 05/08/2009
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