Infectious diseases are a serious threat to animal welfare and result in large financial losses in the poultry production worldwide. Currently special focus is on the use of antibiotics and the problems of development of resistance. The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from animals to humans is an increasing problem. The use of antibiotics is particularly restrictive in Europe, but a further tightening in this area is anticipated in the future.

In this new project, the genetics behind a family of innate immune receptors (C-type lectin (CL) receptors) will be investigated. In mice, it has been shown that molecules (biodegradable carbohydrates) that bind to CL receptors play an important role in the development of protective immunity, and they are thus strong candidates as new vaccine adjuvants. In the project, a new vaccine against Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) will be developed based on recombinant virus proteins coupled to microparticles. A vaccine will be developed which, with the correctly selected CL –receptor-targeted adjuvants, will ensure an optimal and broad vaccine response.

Project yield

Knowledge which will be valuable in the control of infectious bronchitis virus will be generated, but the developed methods will also be relevant to the production of vaccines aimed at other pathogens as well as the selection of naturally robust chickens with a reduced need for antibiotic treatment.

Publication

Results from the project will be available to the Danish poultry sector in the form of popular articles in Danish in for instance ‘Det gule blad’ and presentations at relevant national meetings. Further, project results will form part of a PhD thesis which will be handed in at the end of 2019. The results will also appear in three scientific articles which will be published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at relevant international meetings. In addition, results will be published on an ongoing basis at this website.