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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,