NC229: Detection and Control of Porcine
Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
and Emerging Viral Diseases of Swine
Chair: X.J. Meng
xjmeng@vt.edu
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Secretary: Jane Christopher-Hennings
jane.hennings@sdstate.edu
South Dakota State University
The NC229 Project: “Detection and control of PRRSV and emerging viral diseases of swine” was just renewed in 2009. The new NC229 Objectives include: 1) Elucidate the mechanisms of host-pathogen(s) interactions; 2) Understand the ecology and epidemiology of PRRSV and emerging viral diseases of swine; and 3) Develop effective and efficient approaches for detection, prevention and control of PRRSV and emerging viral diseases of swine. The full project background and participants can be found at: http://nimss.umd.edu/homepages/outline.cfm?trackID=10716
The 2009 milestones related to these Objectives are: 1) Develop in vitro systems for analysis of molecular pathways and cellular interactions relevant to response to and prevention of respiratory infection; 2) Establish methods to describe factors influencing virus transmission within and between swine farms; and 3) Engineer novel vaccine constructs for expression of PRRSV ORFs (DNA vaccine and recombinant proteins).
Started in 1999, the NC 229 Multistate Committee first addressed the topic “Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Disease: Methods for the integrated control, prevention and elimination of PRRS in United States Swine Herds.” It has used a novel "consortium" approach to conduct stakeholder driven "Big Science" on the virology, immunology, epidemiology, diagnostics and control of PRRSV, combining NPB, industry and USDA funds.
In November 2008, NC 229 Committee Members were presented the first annual Experiment Station Award for Excellence in Multistate Research by the Experiment Station Committee On Organization And Policy, The Board on Agriculture Assembly, of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. The NC229 committee was commended because “it has been a model of multistate collaboration between institutions, working with stakeholders and providing leadership in partnering with private organizations such as swine breeding companies, diagnostic and vaccine companies and the National Pork Board. This committee is very connected to stakeholders in the swine industry and stakeholder concerns are addressed in the objectives of this project.” The NC229 Administrative Advisor, and early PRRS researcher, Dr. Dave Benfield, accepted the award on behalf of the entire committee.
Link to annual report:
http://lgu.umd.edu/lgu_v2/homepages/saes.cfm?trackID=10716
Current Reports:
