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Produced by Macom
Sweden 2005-2008
Last updated: June 9 2008

Objectives

The strategic objectives of the research project will be:
  1. To develop, standardise and disseminate novel pen-side testing procedures for OIE List A diseases that can be used by “first line” diagnosticians.

  2. To apply recent advances in technologies to the development, standardisation and dissemination of new rapid, sensitive and specific laboratory-based tests for OIE List A diseases.
These strategic objectives will be achieved through a 39-month work programme containing 9 workpackages, which will deliver the following main objectives.
  1. To develop and introduce very rapid, simplified PCR systems for the “first line” diagnosis of OIE List A diseases (duration 33 months). This will be achieved by the development of rapid cycler PCR assays.

  2. To develop and apply isothermal nucleic acid detection techniques with special emphasis on Invader and NASBA methods (30 months).

  3. To develop and evaluate novel nucleic acid detection methods (padlock probes and rapid readout formats) in order to elaborate a new generation of microarrays (36 months). This will be achieved by developing of high throughput microarray and rapid readout formats for wide-scale viral nucleic acid detection.

  4. To develop novel real-time PCR assays for detection of OIE List A viruses (39 months). It will be achieved by further development of real-time PCR assays using PriProET, MGB or LUX technology.

  5. To adapt the real-time PCR systems to portable PCR equipment, as further support for the “first line” diagnosis (36 months). This will be achieved by adapting real-time PCR techniques to portable PCR machines and test these methods for “first line” diagnosis.

  6. To simplify antigen-antibody assays, with special regard to improvement of sensitivity and simplification of Ag-ELISA systems (36 months). This will be achieved by the development of novel ELISA assays as validated tools of improved, rapid diagnosis.

  7. To develop simple dip-stick tests for the rapid field or abattoir-diagnosis of OIE List A diseases (36 months). This will be achieved by the development of dip-stick assays for rapid and simple “on site” detection of OIE List A viruses.

  8. To automate the virus-detection procedures, in order to accelerate and simplify the diagnosis (36 months). This will be achieved by automation of the diagnostic procedures, with special regard to high throughput robotic assays for rapid detection of viral nucleic acids.

  9. To standardise and validate the new tests by OIE standards (27 months). This will be achieved by applying the five steps of OIE validation for the new diagnostic methods to harmonise the diagnostic procedures of OIE List A diseases in the EU.

  10. To apply the new methods for the “on site” rapid field diagnosis of OIE List A diseases or for rapid and robust confirmatory tests in central laboratories (39 months). This will be achieved by application of the new methods in “first line” field diagnosis and in central laboratory confirmation, as improved tools of OIE List A disease diagnosis.

  11. To initiate (6 months) and maintain (39 months) a global dissemination programme aimed at animal health services and authorities, including practitioners, field laboratories, abattoirs, central laboratories and policy makers. This will be achieved by the establishment and maintenance of a global network for the dissemination of the new methods to the veterinary services of EU member and third countries.