M03030: Diagnosis of TSE disease in cattle and sheep using metabolomic analysis and computer learning technologies
Thursday 9 October 2003
This research project aims to identify novel markers in the blood and urine of cattle and sheep that are consistently indicative of TSE infection and to develop a diagnostic test.
Study Duration: September 2003 to August 2006
Contractor: Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research
Background
The objective of this study is to increase our understanding of TSE diseases by identifying novel markers in the blood and urine of cattle and sheep that are consistently indicative of TSE infection. The ultimate aim of the project is that these surrogate markers can be used for diagnosis of TSE diseases in the live animal before clinical signs of the disease are apparent.
Research Approach
A large number of plasma and urine samples from TSE infected and control animals will be analysed using several different but complementary methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). The data generated will then be analysed to identify putative TSE surrogate metabolic markers using conventional multivariate statistical analysis and also computer learning methods. In order to develop a diagnostic test for preclinical TSE status using metabolomics it is essential that the test is sufficiently specific and sensitive to correctly identify animals incubating a TSE. A major objective is to determine the earliest point after infection that it is possible to diagnose the presence of infection using any of the surrogate markers identified. The identification of surrogate markers will also aid the understanding of the biology associated with the development of prion diseases.