Location: Animal Disease Research Unit
Project Number: 2090-32000-040-059-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
Tick-borne diseases including Babesiosis, Theleriosis, and Anaplasmosispose pose significant challenges to health, farm productivity, and global trade of cattle and related products. Tick-borne bovine diseases often remain undetected for long periods due to subclinical or latent infections, leading to ongoing transmission and delayed control measures. Bovinized chimeric monoclonal antibodies are critical reagents for tick-borne disease research. However, these critical antibodies are not available yet. Therefore, developing chimeric bovinized monoclonal antibodies is crucial for enhancing our immunology research for persistent animal infectious diseases and protecting U.S. animal health. The objective of this project is to develop and characterize chimeric bovinized monoclonal antibodies, thereby supporting effective disease management, surveillance, and control programs.
Approach:
1. Design the plasmids for bovinized monoclonal antibodies recognizing important immune cells, 2. Produce monoclonal antibodies in mammalian cell cultures, 3. Characterize the monoclonal antibodies in specificity and other features
This project will contribute to global efforts in controlling endemic and emerging infectious diseases in animals, aligning with national animal health strategies, biosecurity objectives, and international trade requirements. It will also support innovation in veterinary diagnostics and create pathways for commercial deployment of novel technologies.