- Research
- Viral Vaccine Development
- Pathogenesis for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
Pathogenesis for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
Schematic depicting how PRRSV changes the immune cells response to viral infection. We are engineering modified viruses to alleviate these changes and enhance the host immune response when vaccinated (Image by Joe Darbellay)
Project Team: Volker Gerdts, Joe Darbellay, Jill Van Kessel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes porcine abortions, weak piglets, and respiratory disease in weaned and growing pigs. It is a significant cause of production losses worldwide, costing producers in North America hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
Current vaccines against PRRSV fail to provide complete protection against the wide range of virus strains and come with safety risks. Global swine producers urgently need a more effective vaccine.
Our ongoing research aims to develop a novel PRRSV vaccine that induces strong immunity along with considerable cross-protection against multiple PRRSV strains.