2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Thorough investigation of the immunogenetic responses involved in host-pathogen interactions in Avian Influenza will lead to better understanding of genetic countrol of host response to AI and the identification of immunogenetic mechanisms which will facilitate the development of novel vaccination strategies against AI. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) APDL plans to apply avian cDNA intestinal IEL microarray (AVIELA) chips which were developed in the laboratory at BARC to characterize the differential immune response patterns of different genetic breeds of broiler chickens with different disease phenotypes. 3.Progress Report Earlier studies identified the nature of few chicken cytokines which are involved in innate immune response to certain poultry virus infections. In this reporting period, we identified chicken cytokine IFN-gamma being involved in AI response. To better characterize host immune response to AI, we are develop an antigen-capture assay to measure secreted IFN-gamma in serum from AI-infected broiler chickens. As the first step toward developing an antigen-capture assay, we have developed mouse monoclonal antibodies which are specific against chicken IFN-gamma. Mice were immunized with yeast-expressed recombinant chicken proteins and hybridomas were screened for positive binding activities. Four hybridomas were selected and they are being characterized. This project is monitored via email communications.