Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine Seminar – Dr. Michael Murtaugh presents “Molecular complexity of anti-PRRSV in swine”

Outbred populations of humans and animals show extensive individual variation in the efficacy of immune responses to natural infections and vaccinations, even though the genetic and biochemical mechanisms used to generate diversity within individual animals have an enormous capacity for recognition of antigenic structures. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which causes a serious disease in pigs, elicits highly variable levels of immunity. To better understand the basis for this variation, we have characterized antibody repertoire formation and diversity in the pig, since humoral immunity is an integral component of anti-viral immunity. Although antibody diversity is considered to be virtually limitless, there are substantial individual differences in light and heavy chain gene segment usage, hypersomatic mutation, and response to infection. Elucidation of immunoglobulin structures associated with highly protective immune responses will help guide improved vaccine development and provide useful models for other animal species and humans. Lunch will follow from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in the Health Sciences Centre Atrium as well as in CSB 104.

Location:

Theatre 3 Health Sciences Centre and videoconferenced to CSB 104

Speaker:

Dr. Michael Murtaugh, Director of Graduate Studies in Comparative & Molecular Biosciences at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the molecular complexity of anti-PRRSV in swine. This seminar ties into the UCVM strategic research priority area of infectious, zoonotic, and emerging diseases. Dr. Murtaugh’s research focuses on immunological tool development for food animals.

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/frontiers-veterinary-medicine-seminar-dr-michael-murtaugh-presents-molecular-complexity