Project Number: 6612-32000-063-10
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 01, 2008
End Date: Jul 31, 2013

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative reearch project is to jointly study avian influenza viruses and paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease) of poultry and wild birds that potentially can cross between birds and humans.

Approach:
The tasks to be performed will include collection and analysis of field samples (cloacal/tracheal swabs, sera and organ samples) obtained from apparently healthy and diseased animals. Viruses will be isolated in cell cultures and embryonating chicken eggs. Antigenic and serological studies as well as molecular-epidemiological evaluation of newly isolated influenza and Newcastle disease virus strains will be done. Genomic analysis of influenza and Newcastle disease viruses isolates will include sequencing (full length or partial) of surface glycoproteins and internal genes and phylogenetic studies.