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Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment
Interaction (HPEI) Program
VT
Resources
Faculty
Students
Equipment
Space
Governor’s
Governor’s
Initiative
Research
Initiative
Faculty
positions
Faculty Startup
Startup
Endowed Chairs
Equipment
Host-PathogenEnvironment Interaction
Equipment
Pathogens
Systems biology approach
Synergy & critical mass
Hosts
Pathogen
Systems
Biology
Environment
EXTRAMURAL
GRANT
FUNDING
Vectors
NEW HOST-PATHOGEN
KNOWLEDGE
JOBS &
COMPANIES
New tools to
fight
disease & bio-terrorism
NEW
PREVENTATIVES
Modified from the 2003 proposal
Vaccines,Diagnostics,
Diagnostics,Therapeutics
Therapeutics
Vaccines,
What HPEI research has to offer?
Example 1. Novel diagnostics
Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales,
Genomics based
diagnostic array
Detection of
biodefense
agents
Comparison of
gene contents of
3 Brucella species
Brucellaceae
What HPEI research has to offer?
Example 2. What makes a pathogen?
Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales,
What makes a
particular strain
pathogenic?
Comparison of
gene contents of
3 Brucella species
Brucellaceae
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
Heterologous
antigen
protective
antigen
gene for
protective
antigen
Vaccinate animals
Vaccinate animals
Immune response
Immune response
against the overexpressed antigen
and Brucella
Challenge
Challenge
Protection
against Brucella
Protection against
Brucella and other
Pathogen !
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!
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
http://www.sirinet.net
What HPEI research has to offer?
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?
Example 6. Comparative genomics of plant pathogens
Downy Mildew*
Sudden Oak Death*
Soybean Root Rot*
Potato Late Blight
*Genome projects underway at Virginia Tech
•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.
Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment
Interaction (HPEI) Program
VT
Resources
Faculty
Students
Equipment
Space
Governor’s
Governor’s
Initiative
Research
Initiative
Faculty
positions
Faculty Startup
Startup
Endowed Chairs
Equipment
Host-PathogenEnvironment Interaction
Equipment
Pathogens
Systems biology approach
Synergy & critical mass
Hosts
Pathogen
Systems
Biology
Environment
EXTRAMURAL
GRANT
FUNDING
Vectors
NEW HOST-PATHOGEN
KNOWLEDGE
JOBS &
COMPANIES
New tools to
fight
disease & bio-terrorism
NEW
PREVENTATIVES
Modified from the 2003 proposal
Vaccines,Diagnostics,
Diagnostics,Therapeutics
Therapeutics
Vaccines,