Fall 2005 VIDO Report available

In this issue:  New Genome Canada funding for “natural” immunity studies We are living in a sea of microbes. Every day, we are exposed to tens of thousands of potentially pathogenic microbes through the air we breathe, the food and water we consume, and the people and animals we contact. Despite this, we rarely succumb to infection. The major reason is a highly efficient and effective innate immune system.

VIDO highlights training opportunities at fall career fairs With master’s and PhD students transitioning from VIDO to training and employment opportunities elsewhere, human resources manager Joyce Sander is on a recruitment drive.

Meet the scientists: Dr. Sylvia van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk Little is known about the use of DNA as a method of vaccinating large animals. My research group was one of the first to take the approach of DNA immunization into large species, and we are still one of the few working on DNA immunization of ruminants.

VIDO News VIDO expert speaks on dog flu; VIDO Director receives Prix Galien Canada Research Award

New on the Web The VIDO Swine Technical Group and the VIDO Beef Technical Group are developing searchable online databases of beef and swine diseases. The databases will be broad-spectrum and multidisciplinary, touching on management, nutrition, veterinary and engineering issues.