March 14, 2008

US develops Marek's disease vaccine through research on chicken genome

USDA scientists have succeeded in developing a new recombinant vaccine for Marek's disease through the study of a chicken genome sequence.

Scientists discovered a set of genes in chicken genome that influence the course of viral infection, and they proceeded to develop methods to identify genes that are modified by the Marek's Disease virus (MDV).

The new vaccine was then developed by cloning one of the identified genes, called chicken MIP-1, into the vaccine strain of the virus. This new vaccine provides protection that is comparable to the best vaccines available in the market.

Scientists had used a chicken genome sequence for the development of the vaccine against MDV, a virulent cancer-causing disease that costs the global poultry industry about US$1 billion annually.

Using DNA clones that describes most, if not all, chicken genes, assembled the map of the chicken genome. The scientists then studied the levels of gene products before and after MDV infection, and in chicken lines that were vulnerable against lines that are resistant.

Producers use such information to produce a more resistant chicken line. Further researches would improve the effectiveness of new vaccines, and resistance to Marek's disease in poultry.