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Liz Glass
I am interested in the role of the early host-pathogen interface as a driver of variation in genes controlling immunity, focused especially on interactions between macrophages and Mycobacteria in cattle. Collaborative research has identified genetic markers for host resistance to bovine tuberculosis (bTB), which has led to a new grant to develop genomic predictors of bTB resistance. We have also recently demonstrated the impact of pathogen genotype on virulence, pathology, SICTT and outbreak size in bTB. Using transcriptomics we have discovered M. bovis and MAP genotype strain influence macrophage responses. We have developed siRNA knock-down techniques for primary bovine macrophages and shown that certain host genes are important for Mycobacterial growth. As part of a grant to identify correlates of protection, we a novel population of myeloid cells which appear to be correlated with MAP infection in peripheral blood has been discovered and we are developing myeloid and immune cell marker specific reagents for cattle and sheep.