Advances in Immunology and Microbiology Seminar Series: Gerald Dykstra and Holly Drankhan
About the event
Featuring research in the areas of:
Epidemiology | Infectious Disease | Disease Ecology | Drug Discovery | Virology |
Global Health | Vector-Borne Disease | Pathology
The Advances in Immunology & Microbiology seminar series is a weekly forum that brings together scientists from diverse fields and disciplines across the College of Veterinary Medicine to discuss research advances in the broad areas of immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, and global health. Seminars feature student speakers from the Immunology & Infectious Disease (IID) doctoral program, IID-affiliated postdoctoral researchers and faculty, intramural speakers from across the university, and extramural speakers.
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology
PRESENTER: Dr. Gerald Dykstra, DVM, Combined Clinical Microbiology and PhD program – Mentors: Dr. Craig McConnel, Dr. Yoki Ambrosini, and Dr. Claire Burbick
TITLE: From in vitro development to accessible luminal interface of neonatal bovine-derived intestinal organoids
ABSTRACT: Abstract: Neonatal bovine diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the cattle industry, leading to substantial economic losses and negative animal welfare. Robust in vitro models are essential for understanding the dynamic interactions between pathogens and the host. Three-dimensional (3D) intestinal organoids offer a novel approach to replicating the complexity of the in vivo intestinal environment, serving as an intermediary between traditional cell culture and animal models. This study presents the development and characterization of intestinal organoids as a model system, aimed at better understanding and combating neonatal bovine diarrhea, with broader applications in pathogen-host interactions and intestinal physiology.
PRESENTER: Dr. Holly Drankhan, PhD Candidate and Anatomic Pathology Resident – Mentor: Dr. Margaret Wild
TITLE: Cultivation of Elk Hoof Disease-Associated Spirochetes for Use in an Experimental Infection Model
ABSTRACT: Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) causes lameness in free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) from the northwestern United States, raising concerns for the welfare and survival of native elk populations. Spirochetes, including bacteria within the genus Treponema, are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of TAHD and other hoof diseases of livestock, however investigations into disease etiology are limited by the challenges of isolating these fastidious, anaerobic bacteria from hoof tissues containing diverse microbes. This seminar will highlight recent efforts to cultivate viable spirochetes from TAHD lesions occurring in free-ranging elk as well as plans to evaluate disease development in captive elk following exposure to inoculum containing these bacteria.