Breakthrough Research: Promising Vaccine for Deadly Wildlife Disease | MSUToday

Sean Crosson, a professor at Michigan State University, received a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. He will study Brucella abortus, the bacteria that causes brucellosis, also known as Bang’s disease. This disease mainly affects cattle, bison, and swine, leading to infertility, lameness, and loss of young animals. It can also infect humans and has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

Brucella abortus is not a major issue for livestock in the United States due to a successful eradication program from the USDA. However, it still poses risks in areas like Yellowstone National Park, where wild elk and bison carry the disease. Globally, brucellosis is a significant problem, especially in regions with limited resources where humans live close to livestock.

Crosson’s research aims to understand the genetic and biological mechanisms Brucella uses during infection. This knowledge may help develop vaccines for wildlife. Current vaccines for livestock do not work on elk or bison.

The grant focuses on three main goals:

1. Studying a proteins’ role: One aim is to investigate a protein that Brucella uses to sense its environment. When this protein is removed, Brucella cannot infect animals.

2. Understanding EipB: Another goal is to research a protein called EipB. This protein helps maintain the stability of Brucella’s protective cell envelope. Understanding how EipB functions could reveal how Brucella survives under stress.

3. Exploring noncoding RNAs: The final aim looks at two noncoding RNAs, GsrN1 and GsrN2. Research shows that deleting these RNAs weakens Brucella’s ability to grow in the spleen. The team will study how these RNAs affect gene regulation.

Crosson emphasizes the importance of this research for human health and agricultural biotechnology. By understanding Brucella’s biology, scientists can work towards effective vaccines to protect livestock and improve agricultural productivity.