Goals:

• Encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and graduate and post-graduate research opportunities.
• Examine genetic diversity as it relates to differential survivorship and virulence.
• Identify mechanisms responsible for generating genetic diversity.
• Develop new tools for diagnostics and strategies for pathogen control and intervention

.Links to Projects:

Genome sequencing - Kelly A. Brayton
Anaplasma marginale
Babesia bovis

Microarrays - Douglas R. Call
Detectors
ComparativeGenomics  
Expression Arrays

• Borucki, M. K., M. J. Krug, W. T. Muraoka, and D. R. Call (2003). Discrimination among Listeria monocytogenes isolates using a mixed genome DNA microarray. Veterinary Microbiology 92:351-362.

• Brayton, K. A., D. P. Knowles, T. C. McGuire, and G. H. Palmer (2001). Efficient use of a small genome to generate antigenic diversity in tick-borne ehrlichial pathogens.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98:4130-4135.

• Call, D.R., M.K. Borucki, and T.E. Besser. (2003). Mixed-genome microarrays reveal multiple serotype and lineage-specific differences for Listeria monocytogenes. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 41:632-639.

• Call, D.R., M.K. Borucki and F.J. Loge. (2003). Detection of bacterial pathogens in environmental samples using DNA microarrays. Journal of Microbiological Methods 53:235-243.
• Call, D.R. 2001. DNA microarrays – their mode of action and possible applications in molecular diagnostics. Veterinary Sciences Tomorrow, Issue 3, August 2001.
• Call, D.R., F. J. Brockman, and D. P. Chandler (2001). Detecting and genotyping Escherichia coli O157:H7 using multiplexed PCR and nucleic acid microarrays. International Journal of Food Microbiology 67:71-80.
• Call, D.R., D.P. Chandler, and F.J. Brockman. (2001). Fabrication of DNA microarrays using unmodified oligomer probes. BioTechniques 30:368-379
• Chandler, D.P., Brown, J., Call, D.R., Grate, J.W., Holman, D.A., Olson, L., Stottlmyre, M.S., and C.J. Bruckner-Lea. (2001).  Continuous, automated immunomagnetic separation and microarray detection of E. coli O157:H7 from poultry rinsate. Intl. J. Food Microbiology 70:143-154.
• Kingsley, M.T., Straub T.M., Call D.R., Wunschel S.C., Daly D.S. and D.P. Chandler. (in press). Fingerprinting closely related Xanthamonas pathovars with random nonamer oligonucleotide microarrays. Applied and Environmental Microbiology
• Rurangirwa, F. R., K. A. Brayton, T. C. McGuire, D. P. Knowles, and G. H. Palmer (2002). Conservation of the unique rickettsial rRNA gene arrangement in Anaplasma.  International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 52: 1405-1409.

Program accomplishments:

• Anaplasma sequence
• Developed mixed genome microarray concept with Listeria monocytogenes as a model system. This concept is being applied to other problems in molecular epidemiology, food safety, comparative genomics and water quality assessment.
• Developing arrays suitable for simultaneous detection of multiple salmonid pathogens.

This Program receives support from the following sources:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

USDA-NRIGCP

USDA-ARS ADRU Microbial Genomics Initiative

Morris Animal Foundation

Washington State University:

• Agricultural Animal Health Program

• Salmon Restoration Program (USFWS)

• Center for Reproductive Biology

• NW Aquaculture Initiative (USDA)

• Washington Water Research Center