2022
Genomic characterization & evaluation studies on avian coronavirus variants in PA Poultry, 1990-2020
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board
Category:
Feed
Keywords:
Animal healthAnimal nutritionNutrient management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Huaguang Lu, Pennsylvania State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
PSB-R2022-03
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board
$35,000
Institution Funded:
Pennsylvania State University
$35,000
Brief Project Summary:

This research project is to use the most advanced whole genome sequencing technique to conduct genome characterizations for the large accumulations of more than 1,000 avian coronavirus, commonly called infectious bronchitis virus, field variants isolated from PA poultry from 1990 to 2020. The genome sequencing characterizations reveal new findings of how the revolutionary mutations of avian coronaviruses occurred in chickens during the last 30 years, supporting better prediction and prevention of emerging new variants in the future.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents, livestock farmers, veterinarians, poultry industry

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Methods to achieve objective, working plans are as the follows.

1) Virus propagation. We will retrieve IBV field variants isolated from PA poultry during the last 30 years, 1990 - 2020, select about 10 IBV variants each year to be a total of approximately 300 variant strains, inoculate each strain into SPF embryonating chicken eggs (ECE) for virus propagation. Chorioallantoic fluids (CAF) will be harvested at 72 hours post inoculation for IBV confirmation test by RT-PCR.

2) Full genomic sequencing. We will extract IBV viral RNAs for full genomic sequencing analysis by using the Illumina MiSeq system, conduct assembling full genome sequences, complete sequencing data analysis and document the full genomic data to Genbank.

3) Expected results. It is expected that the outcome of this research would enable the poultry industry to apply vaccines appropriately to control IBV outbreaks. It would also provide evidence to encourage the continuing development of new vaccines against important emerging serotypes of IBV that are not adequately controlled by current commercially available vaccines.

4) Furthermore, research findings from this avian coronavirus project would be greatly benefits for better understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks and providing scientific information and data for appropriate control measures and strategies.

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.