Project Number: 1245-32000-098-04
Project Type: General Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 02, 2010
End Date: Dec 31, 2013

Objective:
The specific objectives of this agreement includes Identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in blood in response to PRRSV infection. Determine putative gene sets and pathways that predict a pig's ability to clear PRRSV infection and maintain weight gain; and Validate utility of gene sets and pathways for prediction of responsiveness to PRRSV infections in multiple populations. Predictive blood tests of pigs with improved PRRS disease resistance and growth maintenance; increased understanding of mechanisms involved in pig responses to PRRSV infection; scientific publications.

Approach:
Michigan State University (MSU) researchers will contribute to the first two objective through developing statistical methods for selecting samples for evaluation from Tempus tube preserved blood samples collected through the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium (PHGC) representing pigs in different virus/weight categories. Perform all the microarray work and transcriptional profiling for the first two objectives and analyze all microarray data (processing and normalization and use of statistical programs to identify DE genes). MSU researchers will also collaborate on planning analysis of DE gene QPCR data (generated by USDA ARS BARC) for all Objectives.