Investigates immunologic and genetic factors that regulate swine responses to parasite infections in particular toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Determines effectiveness of vaccination for toxoplasmosis and defines immune factors which result in protective responses. Develops monoclonal antibodies and PCR reagents for swine cell-surface antigens and cytokines. Maps genes which regulate parasitic disease responses.

To elucidate he basic biology of Cryptosporidium species infectious for food animals and humans. To determine methods of detection, routes of transmission, methods of immunization and disinfection, and develop strategies for prevention and control.

Defines the genetic basis of immune responses of cattle to parasitic infections; characterizes cellular immune responses of cattle with special emphasis on the role of cytokines; develops management programs that use host immunity to control parasite infection.

Develop means of preventing Staphylococcus aureus adherence to bovine mammary epithelial cells. Develop vaccines against S. aureus. Determine the feasibility of producing transgenic animals that are resistant to mastitis.

Conducts applied research on sample preparation techniques, and molecular diagnostic assays, for the detection and identification of parasitic pathogens of livestock.

Conducts basic and applied studies on protozoan diseases of food animals. Employs molecular and immunological techniques to develop diagnostic probes for identifying these parasites and for generating vaccines for combating coccidiosis of poultry and cryptosporidiosis and neosporosis of cattle.

Investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in genetic control of protective immunity to avian coccidia to develop immunological control strategies for avian coccidiosis. Develops molecular and cellular probes to assess cell-mediated immunity in chickens following recombinant coccidial antigen vaccination and natural infection. Studies the role of various T-lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in the development of protective anti-coccidial immunity. Identify microsatellite markers associated with disease resistance/susceptibility to avian coccidiosis.

Determination of events and substances which mobilize polymorphonuclear leukocytes to defend against mastitis infection. Find ways to stimulate this defense to more effectively combat infections.

Studies parasitic diseases of swine, especially aspects of protective immunity, vaccine development, cytokine regulation of immunity and inflammation, and intestinal mucosal responses to infection. Investigates rodent models of immunity to parasites as a paradigm for responses of livestock.

Conducts research in the general area of molecular parasitology with a concentration on helminths of veterinary importance. Repetitive DNA sequences as well as specific gene sequences encoding antigens and are identified that can assist in diagnosis, protection and classification of parasites and parasitic infections. Research on the effects of parasite infection on host cytokine expression is also studied.

Develop vaccines of preventing avian coccidia by recombinant DNA and immunological techniques. Studies molecular and immunological characteristics of avian coccidia for the development of anti-coccidial vaccines. Clone and express avian cytokines and coccidial genes. Develop new in vitro immunological techniques to assess cell-mediated immunity of chickens.

Assesses swine immune responses to toxoplasmosis. Uses immunologic and molecular techniques to quantitate cells and cytokines which stimulate protective immunity. Evaluates responses of vaccinated swine to identify the best vaccine candidates and potential subunit antigens.

Conducts research on intestinal immune responses to parasitic infections related to protective immunity, especially the role of mucins and mucosal lymphocyte populations. Develops rodent models of infection with nematode parasites to compare with similar infectious swine.

Investigates the immune response of cattle to Ostertagia ostertagi infections. Uses immunologic and molecular techniques to identify parasite substances which are potential immunomodulators in cattle.

Studies the role of cytokines in gastrointestinal nematode infections. Elucidates the mechanisms of protective immunity using immunologic and molecular techniques. Utilizes rodent models to study host/parasite interactions and applies this knowledge to parasitic pathogens of livestock.

Works on avian immunity mainly focusing on changes of cytokines in coccidiosis.

Develops assays to detect swine cytokines and cell subsets from peripheral blood and other lymphocyte populations from mucosal tissues of normal and parasite infected pigs. Standardizes PCR-based molecular techniques for the characterization of the kinetics of Toxoplasma gondii infection in swine. Compares genetically defined pigs for their responses to Toxoplasma gondii infection and identifies genetic factors that enhance resistance against this parasite.

Conducts research on the role of host genetics on resistance/susceptibility to nematode infection in cattle. Uses molecular techniques to quantitate cytokines. Develops control program for gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in tropical regions.

Investigates the presence and role of reactive nitrogen species in the bovine mammary gland. Defines the cytokine profile in the mammary gland during inflammation due to various causes.

Conduct studies designed to identify microsatellite DNA markers that are associated with coccidiosis resistance and susceptibility in broiler chickens. Analyze chicken genotypes and coccidiosis phenotypes to determine the association between the DNA markers and disease resistance to coccidiosis.