The University of Florida (UF) was awarded a $650,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program. The funding will be used to develop a vaccine against Spotty Liver Disease (SLD), a bacterial pathogen that affects commercial layer hens, and protect chickens from economically important diseases caused by avian pathogenic E. coli. The research effort involves identifying suitable vaccine candidate antigens, assessing their immunogenicity and protective ability in chickens, and developing an attenuated strain of avian pathogenic E. coli as a vector to deliver the protective antigens. The goal is to create a comprehensive vaccine that can be administered through water, feed, or spray to provide both systemic and mucosal immunity against SLD and other E. coli-induced diseases, thereby reducing economic losses for the poultry industry. The project period runs from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $650.0k | 7/19/23 |