Location: Animal Disease Research Unit
Project Number: 2090-32000-040-055-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2025
End Date: Oct 30, 2026
Objective:
Vaccine development have been valuable tools to protect animals against diseases. However, discovery of novel methods to improve the efficacy of vaccines is crucial for the efficient control strategies for preventing the spread of pathogens Many studies have attempted to identify novel methods, including adjuvants that might provide more effective protection against infectious diseases of livestock. The objective of this project is to identify alternative adjuvants that strongly stimulate the immune system for the development of effective vaccines to prevent pathogen dissemination.
Approach:
The objective of this project is to characterize the animal immune system to support the development of effective vaccines that prevent the spread of pathogens in cattle. We will utilize a soluble extracellular protein and a soluble extracellular lipid as adjuvants to help develop strategies for studying immune responses to livestock pathogens. By eliciting the appropriate immune response, we aim to identify immune correlates of protection, thereby streamlining the vaccine development process.
The ADRU project is highly focused on immunology. However, due to recent personnel changes, ADRU currently lacks sufficient expertise to fully achieve its immunology-related objectives. To address this gap, WSU will provide qualified personnel to support the project's goals until suitable permanent hires are made.