CMMID
Research
Academics & Research
VMRCVM
Areas of Biomedical Specialization
The Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases is divided into three sub areas of specialization: Bacteriology and Parasitology, Virology, and Immunology. These CMMID Laboratories interact with each other depending on the needs of different research projects. In general, the bacteriology and parasitology areas perform cultivation of class 1 and 2 organisms, analysis and indentification. The virology area perform cell culture and virus isolation, propogation, analysis and storage. The immunology area produces hybridomas for monoclonal antibody production and is equipped to carry out a variety of cellular and humoral immune assays.
Bacteriology
Stephen Boyle's research involves studying bacterial pathogen-host interactions
at the gene level and identification of bacterial genes when mutated attenuate the microbe or
can be incorporated into genetically engineered delivery systems for the purposes of eliciting a protective
immune response. Currently, projects active include measuring gene expression of Brucella species
and of macrophages in a murine model in vitro and in vivo and use of recombinant Brucella to deliver protective antigens
against anthrax, neosporosis and tuberculosis. In addition, his research involves the expression of
contraceptive antigens in feline herpes virus for application as an oral immunocontraceptive vaccine
for feral cats.
Dr. Boyle's CV | Cat Contraceptive Vaccine Progress Report (PDF)
Thomas Inzana's research includes analysis of genes that encode for polysaccharide capsule expression
and lipooligosaccharide phase variation in the bacterial pathogens Haemophilus somnus and Francisella tularensis,
which are responsible for bovine respiratory disease and tularemia, respectively. The role of these components and
the host immune response in bacterial pathogenesis is examined, as well as how knowledge of these components can be
used to prepare live attenuated or subunit vaccines and diagnostic tests.
Nammalwar Sriranganathan's research areas
include protein antigens involved in the inducing immunological protection against Brucella and
Pasteurella infections. The lab is also investigating food safety issues and effects of hormones
on the immune capabilities of lymphocytes.
Dr. Sriranganathan's CV
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Sharon Witonsky's research includes immunology and infectious diseases, specifically
involving host pathogen interactions. She is interested in the mechanisms involving both protective
immunity as well as disease development. Current projects include Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
(EPM) and Brucella spp. With regard to EPM, Witonsky is employing both equine and murine models to
determine both the protective immune response associated with Sarcocystis neurona infection as well
as the determining the mechanisms by which S. neurona crosses the blood brain barrier to cause
encephalitis. In Brucella, Witonsky is assessing the differential ability of various Brucella strains
to protect in a respiratory model. She is also interested in basic mechanisms of immune subversion
associated with infection.
Immunology
Ansar Ahmed's research is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular effects of natural,
synthetic, and environmental estrogenic compounds on the immune systems of normal and autoimmune mice.
One specific area of interest is how estrogens regulate pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis, key cell
signaling events, nuclear transcription factors, and gene expression. Dr. Ahmed's laboratory is
considered to be a leady laboratory in the field of regulation of immune system by estrogen.
more information... |
Dr. Ahmed's CV
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Christopher M. Reilly's research is designed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using mice that are genetically predisposed to disease. MRL/lpr mice develop lupus disease similar to humans including antibodies to double stranded DNA and renal disease. His studies have delineated signal transduction pathways responsible for increased nitric oxide (NO) production and have investigated various mechanisms to block NO production both genetically and pharmacologically. Additional investigations in his laboratory include modulating inflammation through the control of histone acetylation/deacetylation activity and investigating the interaction between metabolism and inflammation in these autoimmune mouse models.
Bob Gogal's research focus includes basic studies in immunotoxicology and clinical immunology. A primary interest is in understanding the mechanisms by which chemicals or therapeutic agents (e.g., environmental estrogens, industrial byproducts, defense-related contaminants, immunosuppressive drugs) influence the immune system. This includes both adult and developmental models, and both immunosuppression and exacerbated immune response (e.g., allergy; autoimmune disease) endpoints. Both traditional and non-traditional animal models have been used, and continue to be of interest. Recently completed and ongoing studies have focused on the contribution of environmental chemical exposure to development of autoimmune disease, the paradoxical ability of maternal immune stimulation to reduce teratogen-induced birth defects in mice, and immunotoxicity of energetic (explosive) compounds in avian wildlife. Currently, my laboratory is working on an NIH funded developmental TCDD-exposure study. We are evaluating the potential influence of perinatal TCDD exposure to dysregulate the immune system of the adult through AhR receptor. We are also interested in ascertaining if this dysregulation predisposes the adult toward autoimmunity.
Yasuhiro Suzuki's research laboratory has been investigating the mechanism of host-pathogen
interactions in infection with Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite.
Dr. Suzuki's Lab |
Dr. Suzuki's CV
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Virology
Xiang-Jin Meng's research areas involve studying
the molecular mechanism of viral replication and pathogenesis and developing vaccines against viral
diseases. Viruses currently being studied in Dr. Meng's lab include the hepatitis E virus (human,
swine and avian HEVs), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and porcine circoviruses.
Dr. Meng's Lab | Dr. Meng's CV
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Christopher Roberts' virology research laboratory focuses on viral
pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. The lab currently has a diverse number of research
projects such as viral vaccine development, host pathogen interactions and viral:bacterial synergy
in disease exacerbation, and immunotherapy and virotherapy targeting ovarian cancer.
Dr. Roberts' CV | Dr.Roberts'
Research Project Flyer
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Elankumaran Subbiah's current research areas include developing recombinant Newcastle
disease virus (NDV) as an oncolytic agent, molecular basis of interspecies transmission of
influenza A viruses with emphasis on swine influenza virus, and viral vectored vaccines for
emerging viral diseases.
Dr. Subbiah's COS Expertise Profile
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Lijuan Yuan's current research areas include studying the mechanisms of
probiotics’ potentiating and regulatory effects on the development of innate and adaptive
immunity against human rotavirus infection; studying the impact of dual enteric viral/bacterial
infection in the intestinal inflammation and intussusception using gnotobiotic pigs as models; and
generation of reverse genetics systems of porcine and human rotaviruses to study the determinants
of pathogenicity and attenuation markers of rotaviruses and to develop new generations of
rotavirus vaccines.
Aquatic Medicine
Dr. Stephen Smith's research areas include finfish diseases, immunology, clinical medicine, pathology and therapeutics of commercially cultured foodfish, ornamental fish, bait fish and tropical fish. Current projects include vaccine development for mycobacteriosis, pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in summer flounder, and the establishment of normal clinical baseline for several species of cultured foodfish.
Dr. Smith's CV |
Aquatic Medicine Website
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Avian Medicine
Dr. Bill Pierson's interests lie in the areas of infectious disease, immunology, biosecurity, and the development of animal models for human disease. Current projects include the molecular characterization of various pathotypes of hemorrhagic enteritis virus (Siadenoviridae), the effect of stress and vitamin C on the response to hemorrhagic enteritis virus vaccination, the role of putative pseudocysts in the environmental persistence of Cochlosoma anatis, the effectiveness of waterless hand sanitizers in the prevention of nosocomial / zoonotic infections in veterinary settings, the pathophysiology and epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in chickens, and the use of chickens as an experimental model for the study of hepatitis E in humans. Primary research interest includes chicken as a model for hepatitis E, and Hemorrhagic enterites virus in turkeys.
Parasitology
Dr. David Lindsay's research focus is the developmental biology and ecology of zoonotic and opportunistic protozoan parasites and in developing improved diagnostics, vaccines and treatments for these important parasites of humans and animals.
Sharon Witonsky's research includes immunology and
infectious diseases, specifically
involving host pathogen interactions. She is interested in the mechanisms involving both protective
immunity as well as disease development. Current projects include Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
(EPM) and Brucella spp. With regard to EPM, Witonsky is employing both equine and murine models to
determine both the protective immune response associated with Sarcocystis neurona infection as well
as the determining the mechanisms by which S. neurona crosses the blood brain barrier to cause
encephalitis. In Brucella, Witonsky is assessing the differential ability of various Brucella strains
to protect in a respiratory model. She is also interested in basic mechanisms of immune subversion
associated with infection.
Pathology
Dr. Tanya LeRoith’s research interests include infectious disease, immunology and pathology. Current research focuses on the immune response to hepatitis E infection in the chicken model and the role of regulatory T cells in the immune response to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus.
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