Project Number: 8042-32000-107-26-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement

Start Date: Jun 15, 2017
End Date: Jun 14, 2022

Objective:
Objective 1: Identify 25 new chicken CD molecules and cytokines, perform full gene sequences, clone and express recombinant proteins, and study their function in normal and disease states. Objective 2: Develop mouse monoclonal antibodies for 25 new chicken CD molecules and cytokines.

Approach:
Chicken CD and cytokine genes will be identified using public surveys, cloned, and expressed in E. coli and yeast. Studies will be carried out to validate their biological function using recombinant cytokines. Mouse mAbs will be developed against 25 target proteins (Cell surface determinants and 15 cytokines). Using these monoclonal antibodies, assays will be developed and optimized by testing multiple antibody pairs and concentrations against relevant cytokines. Assay validation will be carried out by testing serum samples collected from infected birds from broiler production farms.