1. Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics Governor’s Initiative Faculty positions Startup Equipment Systems biology approach Synergy & critical mass Modified from the 2003 proposal

2. What HPEI research has to offer? Example 1. Novel diagnostics Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae Comparison of gene contents of 3 Brucella species Genomics based diagnostic array Detection of biodefense agents

3. What HPEI research has to offer? Example 2. What makes a pathogen? Brucella, Bacteria, Proteobacteria, a-Proteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Brucellaceae Comparison of gene contents of 3 Brucella species What makes a particular strain pathogenic?

4. Strain RB51 as a Platform Vaccine Brucella RB51 Vaccine Vaccinate animals Immune response Challenge Protection against Brucella Conventional RB51 vaccine Over-expression of heterologous antigen protective antigen gene for protective antigen Heterologous antigen Immune response against the over- expressed antigen and Brucella Protection against Brucella and other Pathogen ! New Strain RB51 derivatives: RB51/TB RB51/anthrax RB51/Neospora All new vaccines show partial or complete protection in mice. Studies need to be done in other animals! What HPEI research has to offer? Example 3. Vaccine Development

5. http://www.sirinet.net What HPEI research has to offer? Example 4. Control of Vector-Borne Diseases Vector-borne infectious diseases are major threats to US & the world Burden; Grand challenges; Biodefense agents category A, B, and C Vector, the missing link in infectious disease research Vector-borne infectious diseases, a rapidly expanding research community at VT Taking advantage of the innate immunity of vectors

6. Behavioral differences between related species or subspecies Odorant receptors (ORs) and odor detection Mosquito lineage-specific expansion, >70 OR genes Comparative genomics: What are the genetic basis for mosquito host finding behavior? What HPEI research has to offer? Example 5. How does a vector find its host?

7. Do these related pathogens use similar molecular strategies to manipulate their hosts? Comparative genomics will be used to identify candidate genes that promote disease. We hope to identify an “Achilles Heel” to be targeted for pesticide development or genetic resistance. Downy Mildew* Potato Late Blight Soybean Root Rot* Sudden Oak Death* *Genome projects underway at Virginia Tech What HPEI research has to offer? Example 6. Comparative genomics of plant pathogens

8. Expand Host-Pathogen-Environment Interaction (HPEI) Program New tools to fight disease & bio-terrorism Vaccines, Diagnostics, Therapeutics Governor’s Initiative Faculty positions Startup Equipment Systems biology approach Synergy & critical mass Modified from the 2003 proposal