Developing novel vaccines against AIV and exploring efficient delivery systems for these vaccines

Principal Investigator

Dele Ogunrami, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Year the work was done

2010-2013

Overall objective

  • To develop DNA-based avian influenza vaccine platform, and assess the safety and efficacy of needle-free delivery methods for adenovirus-, virosome- and DNA-based vaccines.

Outcomes

  • Dr. Ogunremi’s team has developed a DNA vaccine construct containing the hemagglutinin (HA) gene from an H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV). The gene sequence was optimized for expression in chicken cells and the vaccine is being tested for its ability to elicit antibodies and protect chickens from AIV infection.
  • Antibody production was increased many-fold when electroporation was used to deliver the vaccine compared to intramuscular injection. The electroporation procedure will be tested on the virosome-based vaccine developed in activity FSQ037. Oral administration (e.g. in drinking water) of the DNA vaccine and adenovirus vectors developed in project FSQ038.1 and FSQ038.2 will also be tested.This research is part of an overall program to better understand the biology of avian influenza with the long-term goal of developing rational control strategies in domestic poultry. DNA vaccines and new, more efficient vaccine delivery methods may be part of future control strategies.

Application

  • This research is part of an overall program to better understand the biology of avian influenza with the long-term goal of developing rational control strategies in domestic poultry.
  • DNA vaccines and new, more efficient vaccine delivery methods may be part of future control strategies.

This research applies to

Breeders, Broilers, Hatcheries, Layers, Turkeys

This research was supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Poultry Research Council and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.