Research

Research

Our research focuses on selected aspects of equine infectious disease with an emphasis on epidemiology, understanding of clinical disease, diagnostics, prevention, and treatment. Our dedicated research staff has the technical expertise to establish and validate new molecular or serological technologies in order to study infectious organisms.

Our state-of-the-art facility allows us to study infectious equine pathogens using conventional culture systems for viruses and bacteria, serology for the detection of antibodies to specific pathogens, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoal organisms. Furthermore, we are able to do de novo sequencing with new and emerging pathogens using a next generation high throughput sequencer (Ion Torrent). Quantitative PCR is also used to study the complex in-vivo and in-vitro interaction between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes associated with specific diseases.

Experience in infectious diseases and molecular epidemiology has allowed us to develop a structured concept on how to approach, investigate and control infectious disorders, independent of their individual nature. Our ongoing research focuses on equine herpesvirus-1 infections, equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi, equine coronavirus, and upper respiratory tract pathogens such as equine influenza virus, equine herpes virus-1/-2/-4/-5/-9, equine rhinitis A and B viruses, equine adenovirus, and streptococcus equi subspecies equi.