Slide 1: Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space Host-P athog enH st P athog En viironment In tera ctiion En nment In era on Pathogens Governor’s GovernorÕs Research Initiative Initiative Faculty positions Faculty Startup Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment Equipment Systems biology approach Synergy & critical mass Hosts Pathogen Systems Biology Environment EXTRA MURAL GRANT FUNDING Vectors NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE JOBS & COMPANIES New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism NEW PREVENTATIV ES Modified from the 2003 proposal Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics
Slide 2: What HPEI research has to offer? Example 1. Novel diagnostics Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae Genomics based diagnostic array Detection of biodefense agents Comparison of gene contents of 3 Brucella species
Slide 3: What HPEI research has to offer? Example 2. What makes a pathogen? Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae What makes a particular strain pathogenic? Comparison of gene contents of 3 Brucella species
Slide 4: What HPEI research has to offer? Example 3. Vaccine Development Conventional RB51 vaccine Over-expression of heterologous antigen Strain RB51 as a Platform Vaccine Brucella RB51 Vaccine protective antigen gene for protective antigen Heterologous antigen New Strain RB51 derivatives: • RB51/TB • RB51/anthrax • RB51/Neospora • All new vaccines show partial or complete protection in mice. • Studies need to be done in other animals! Vaccinate animals Immune response against the overexpressed antigen and Brucella Vaccinate animals Immune response Challenge Challenge Protection against Brucella Protection against Brucella and other Pathogen !
Slide 5: Example 4. Control of Vector-Borne Diseases Vector-borne infectious diseases are major threats to US & the world Burden; Grand challenges; Biodefense agents category A, B, and C What HPEI research has to offer? Vector, the missing link in infectious disease research Vector-borne infectious diseases, a rapidly expanding research community at VT Taking advantage of the innate immunity of vectors http://www.sirinet.net
Slide 6: Example 5. How does a vector find its host? Behavioral differences between related species or subspecies Odorant receptors (ORs) and odor detection Mosquito lineage-specific expansion, >70 OR genes Comparative genomics: What are the genetic basis for mosquito host finding behavior? What HPEI research has to offer?
Slide 7: Example 6. Comparative genomics of plant pathogens Downy Mildew* Sudden Oak Death* Soybean Root Rot* Potato Late Blight *Genome projects underway at Virginia Tech What HPEI research has to offer? •Do these related pathogens use similar molecular strategies to manipulate their hosts? •Comparative genomics will be used to identify candidate genes that promote disease. •We hope to identify an “Achilles Heel” to be targeted for pesticide development or genetic resistance.
Slide 8: Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space Host-P athog enH st P athog En viironment In tera ctiion En nment In era on Pathogens Governor’s GovernorÕs Research Initiative Initiative Faculty positions Faculty Startup Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment Equipment Systems biology approach Synergy & critical mass Hosts Pathogen Systems Biology Environment EXTRA MURAL GRANT FUNDING Vectors NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE JOBS & COMPANIES New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism NEW PREVENTATIV ES Modified from the 2003 proposal Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics