This research project examines disease changes brought about by two major causes of infectious abortion in ewes in Ireland: Chlamydophila abortus is a bacterium while Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite. The study involves a multidisciplinary approach examining the damage caused by these agents to the animal's tissues, the efforts of the immune response to control the infection and the analysis and identification of the important proteins that allow these microorganisms to be successful. This study is providing important insights into the events that lead to abortion following infection as well as identifying key proteins that can be used to control these infections through improved diagnostic tests and vaccines.
This research will potentially lead to the development of recombinant proteins for application in novel diagnostic tests and vaccines.
Pablo Rojas
