Development of an In-Silico Pan Multi-Epitope Nucleocapsid Vaccine Against the Circulating Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus in the USA
Faculty Mentor
Maged Gomaa Hemida
Area of Research
Veterinary Virology
Major
Biological Sciences
Description
INTRODUCTIOIN: Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) represents a major challenge to the poultry industry in the USA and worldwide. One of the major concerns regarding AIBV is the frequent mutations in the virus on the genomic level. The currently circulating strains of the AIBV in the USA belong to the GI-9, GI-27, and the GIV-1. Thus, there is an urgent need to design some next-generation AIBV vaccines that could cope with the swift change of the virus on the genomic level.
METHOD: In the current study, we will use a combination of computational tools, including bioinformatics and machine learning, such as molecular docking and simulation. and experimental laboratory and field studies validation, to design and test the efficacy of a novel multi-epitope AIBV/N based vaccine that includes representative epitopes that cover all currently known nine genotypes of the AIBV.
RESULTS: The B cell and T cells epitopes were identified from the nucleocapsid protein of circulating AIBV using in-silico approaches. Integration of the selected CD4+ and CD8+ epitopes was performed by molecular docking and simulation techniques with chicken Major Histocompatibility complexes class I and II. The secondary and tertiary structure conformation, and in-silico immune simulation of the multiepitope vaccine construct, were performed through different computational tools. Molecular docking of the multiepitope vaccine construct was performed with chicken TLR3 and TLR7. The resultant multiepitope vaccine construct was inserted into the expression vector pcDNA3.1 and will be used for further in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This approach will enable us to keep active dynamics in upgrading the currently used vaccines to match the field circulating strains of AIBV.
Development of an In-Silico Pan Multi-Epitope Nucleocapsid Vaccine Against the Circulating Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus in the USA
INTRODUCTIOIN: Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) represents a major challenge to the poultry industry in the USA and worldwide. One of the major concerns regarding AIBV is the frequent mutations in the virus on the genomic level. The currently circulating strains of the AIBV in the USA belong to the GI-9, GI-27, and the GIV-1. Thus, there is an urgent need to design some next-generation AIBV vaccines that could cope with the swift change of the virus on the genomic level.
METHOD: In the current study, we will use a combination of computational tools, including bioinformatics and machine learning, such as molecular docking and simulation. and experimental laboratory and field studies validation, to design and test the efficacy of a novel multi-epitope AIBV/N based vaccine that includes representative epitopes that cover all currently known nine genotypes of the AIBV.
RESULTS: The B cell and T cells epitopes were identified from the nucleocapsid protein of circulating AIBV using in-silico approaches. Integration of the selected CD4+ and CD8+ epitopes was performed by molecular docking and simulation techniques with chicken Major Histocompatibility complexes class I and II. The secondary and tertiary structure conformation, and in-silico immune simulation of the multiepitope vaccine construct, were performed through different computational tools. Molecular docking of the multiepitope vaccine construct was performed with chicken TLR3 and TLR7. The resultant multiepitope vaccine construct was inserted into the expression vector pcDNA3.1 and will be used for further in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This approach will enable us to keep active dynamics in upgrading the currently used vaccines to match the field circulating strains of AIBV.