A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for studies on host-pathogen interactions

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The Groupe de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses du Porc (GREMIP) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM), Univ. de Montréal, is a diversified group of fundamental and applied researchers aimed to increase our knowledge on animal as well as zoonotic diseases. With creation of the FQRNT-granted Swine Infectious Disease Research Centre (CRIP), our research aims were bloated to increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the complex interactions of the host with viruses and bacteria of increased significance to the swine industry (including zoonotic agents representing the greatest potential threats to public health) and to apply the knowledge gained to the development of new tools for diagnosis and anti-infectious prophylaxis. Thus, our research involves divergent but inter-connected disciplines, such as molecular biology, host-pathogen interactions, basic immunology and viral and bacterial pathogenesis. In addition, applied research performed by team members focus, among other, on the development of alternative strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance. Many of the research approaches require analysis of cellular responses of specific cell types from diverse hosts (mouse, humans and pigs), for the purpose of studying biological processes experienced by these cells when encountering pathogens. In addition, changes in pathogen behaviour are also experienced, such as expression of new genes involved in antibiotic resistance. Real-time PCR systems, which quantify alterations in mRNA levels of the gene of interest, represent uniquely advantageous tools for achieving these research goals. Indeed, this technology overcomes limitations imposed to our research progress by the lack of appropriated immunological reagents in the field of veterinary diseases, such as specific antibodies. The versatility, high specificity, and accurate quantitative measurements obtained by this technology will greatly facilitate the various research objectives of GREMIP/CRIP-affiliated investigators as well as to achieve a major goal recently fixed by the CRIP: that is to centralize at the FMV a unique porcine immunological tool bank to support our research as well as national and international network.