Project Number: 1940-32000-056-02
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jun 01, 2008
End Date: Dec 31, 2010

Objective:
African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) has been identified by USDA and DHS as an emerging agricultural pathogen due to the 2007, outbreaks in Eurasia and is now a high priority for biological countermeasure research. The objectives of this collaborative research agreement are: 1. Identify and recruit a qualified scientist from the Republic of Georgia to come to ARS, PIADC for the purpose of acquiring knowledge of ASF, and development of molecular biology skill sets 2. Development of said skill sets that will be applied to ASF research and development through ongoing ARS Classical Swine Fever vaccine discovery. ASFV, a look-a-like virus to CSFV, was previously studied at ARS, PIADC 3. Initiate planning activities associated with ASF basic research and vaccine discovery.

Approach:
1. A qualified Republic of Georgia scientist capable of carrying out the training exercise tasks under minimal supervision and capable of developing skill sets necessary for the successful ASF knowledge transfer in the future to other Republic of Georgia scientists. This scientist will be supported through USDA-DOE interagency agreement administered through ORISE. 2. The identified Republic of Georgia scientist will be trained by ARS, PIADC in foreign animal disease molecular biology skills through on-going ARS Classical Swine Fever research. This training includes: vaccine discovery, inclusive of cell culture, virus titration, virus cloning, viral analysis, sequencing, tissue collection and necropsy. DHS, PIADC will coordinate ASFV related activities between ARS, PIADC and the Republic of Georgia, including access to viral samples and genomic sequencing support. 3. The identified Republic of Georgia scientist, with assistance from ARS, PIADC and DHS, PIADC collaborators, will prepare and submit an ASF basic research and vaccine discovery proposal targeting the Eurasian outbreak response.