Bead-based multiplexing technology ('Luminex') for multidisciplinary studies in veterinary medicine

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The animal health and the meat/food processing industry have major impacts on the profitability of Canadian agriculture and ultimately the health of Canadian general public. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) of the University of Montreal plays a leading role in research areas related to animal health, public health and environment impacts through the activities of internationally recognized research centers/groups, such as the Research Group on Infectious Diseases of Swine, 'Groupe de recherche et d'enseignement en salubrité alimentaire', 'Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique', Canadian Bovine Mastitis and Milk Quality Research Network, Animal Reproduction Research Centre, and 'Groupe de recherche en médecine équine du Québec'. These groups of fundamental and applied researchers share the same goals: to increase the knowledge on the mechanisms underlying diseases induced by prominent animal and zoonotic pathogens, to control the risks of food-born pathogens, and to improve the understanding of animal diseases and reproduction. Our experimental approaches require analysis of cellular responses and biological processes underwent by specific cell types from diverse hosts (mice, pigs, horses, cows) when facing pathogens, under stress or other disease conditions. We also evaluate evolution and environment adaptation of microorganisms, including antibiotic resistance. As such, the acquisition of a bead-based multiplexing technology (known as "Luminex") is of utmost importance to successfully achieve our research goals. Luminex technology color-codes tiny beads into 100 distinct sets allowing multiplexing 100 unique bioassays in little amounts of a sample rapidly, cost-effectively and precisely. Through this technology, quantitative assays of immunological molecules, disease markers and other metabolites in the field of veterinary medicine are thus possible. This technology represents a valuable tool for keeping our international leadership on animal disease and reproduction research areas and for improving the training of highly qualified personnel. Generated knowledge will help advance the development of novel vaccines, improved immuno-therapies and diagnostic tools.