Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program

Pathogens

Env- iron-ment

Hosts

HHHooosssttt---PPPaaattthhhooogggeeennn---EEEnnnvvviiirrrooonnnmmmeeennnttt IIInnnttteeerrraaaccctttiiiooonnn

VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space

EXTRA -MURAL GRANT

FUNDING

NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE

NEW PREVENTATIV ES Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics

Vectors

PathogenSystems Biology

JOBS & COMPANIES

Governor’s Research Initiative Faculty Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment

New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism

Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics

Governor’s InitiativeFaculty positionsStartupEquipment

Systems biology approach

Synergy & critical mass

Modified from the 2003 proposal

What HPEI research has to offer?Example 1. Novel diagnostics

Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae

Comparison ofgene contents of3 Brucella species

Genomics based Genomics based diagnostic array diagnostic array

Detection of Detection of biodefense biodefense agentsagents

What HPEI research has to offer?Example 2. What makes a pathogen?

Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae

Comparison ofgene contents of3 Brucella species

What makes a What makes a particular strain particular strain pathogenic? pathogenic?

StrainStrain RB51 as a RB51 as a Platform VaccinePlatform Vaccine

Brucella RB51 Vaccine

Vaccinate animals

Vaccinate animals

Immune response

ChallengeChallenge

Protectionagainst Brucella

Conventional RB51 vaccine Over-expression of heterologous antigen

protectiveantigen

gene forprotectiveantigen

Heterologousantigen

Immune responseagainst the over-expressed antigen and Brucella

Protection againstBrucella and otherPathogen !

New Strain RB51derivatives:

• RB51/TB• RB51/anthrax• RB51/Neospora

• All new vaccinesshow partial or complete protectionin mice.• Studies need to bedone in other animals!

What HPEI research has to offer?Example 3. Vaccine Development

http://www.sirinet.net

What HPEI research has to offer?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

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

Behavioral differences betweenrelated 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?Example 5. How does a vector find its host?

•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.

Downy Mildew*

Potato Late Blight

Soybean Root Rot*

Sudden Oak Death*

*Genome projects underway at Virginia Tech

What HPEI research has to offer?Example 6. Comparative genomics of plant

pathogens

Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program

Pathogens

Env- iron-ment

Hosts

HHHooosssttt---PPPaaattthhhooogggeeennn---EEEnnnvvviiirrrooonnnmmmeeennnttt IIInnnttteeerrraaaccctttiiiooonnn

VT Resources Faculty Students Equipment Space

EXTRA -MURAL GRANT

FUNDING

NEW HOST -PATHOGEN KNOWLEDGE

NEW PREVENTATIV ES Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics

Vectors

PathogenSystems Biology

JOBS & COMPANIES

Governor’s Research Initiative Faculty Startup Endowed Ch airs Equipment

New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism

Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics

Governor’s InitiativeFaculty positionsStartupEquipment

Systems biology approach

Synergy & critical mass

Modified from the 2003 proposal