Infectious diseases are responsible for a third of all deaths on the planet. They are also a major problem in the livestock industry, costing billions of dollars each year.
The point of first contact for infection is often the mucous membranes lining the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. At this stage, a broad array of defence mechanisms work to prevent the invasion of infectious diseases. However, little is known about these mechanisms of immunity.
The researchers are using genomics techniques to focus on understanding immunity to infectious diseases and how it may be enhanced, leading to new treatments and prevention strategies for both human and animal infections.
The project is co-led by researchers at the Vaccine Infectious Diseases Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia and includes researchers from Simon Fraser University, the British Columbia Cancer Agency; and has linkages to the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois. It includes the participation of Inimex Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
A SUMMARY OF THE OUTCOMES FROM THIS COMPLETED PROJECT IS CURRENTLY BEING CONSTRUCTED.
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