Project Number: 1940-32000-057-12
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2010
End Date: Apr 30, 2013

Objective:
The objective of this project is to import cells producing monoclonal antibodies specific for bovine cells produced and characterized at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). This requires ILRI to determine the viability of the antibody cell lines and ARS, PIADC to test for the presence of foreign animal diseases in vivo. Once cleared, the cell lines will be made available to colleagues in Foot-and-Mouth Disease free countries and/or deposited in the American Tissue Culture Collection for general distribution. These antibodies will become available to scientists in the United States to facilitate analysis of bovine immune responses and vaccine development.

Approach:
ARS, PIADC and the International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya (ILRI) will determine a list of high-priority cell lines. ILRI will test for viability and antibody production. These cell lines will be transferred to PIADC and safety tested at PIADC under BSL-3 conditions. Upon successful safety testing, the cell lines will be prepared for distribution to colleagues in North America and Europe through the use of a material transfer agreement between ILRI, ARS and recipient.