Partner 2:

Queen's University of Belfast (QUB), Virology Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Department (VSD), Northern Ireland, UK.

Current expertise:
       The VSD is jointly founded by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and by the Queens University of Belfast. VSD has a core staff over 150 scientists and technicians, Virology Laboratory has a core scientific staff of over 30 and an additional 10 EU and commercially funded graduate and post-graduate research workers. This department has an established international reputation in the recognition and characterisation of new and emerging virus infections of farm animals and new methodologies in veterinary diagnostics. Recent research and development within this laboratory has focused on the application of fluorimeter-based PCR technology for the quantitative detection of cytokine messenger RNA and viral nucleic acid, with particular reference to pig diseases. The researchers are working on the development on various real-time PCR assays, for example for the detection of circoviruses. Detection is performed by using SYBR Green and product verification by melting point analysis, or by FRET (fluorescence energy transfer reaction) hybridisation probes. Studies are concentrated on automated assays, to achieve high sensitivity and specificity.
        Concerning block-based PCR, the main research activities are circoviruses, CSFV, African swine fever virus (ASFV) and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). This Partner will provide expertise in EU project management, development of fluorimeter-based PCR detection of viral nucleic acid and classical virology.

Project leader:
Dr. Gordon Allan, Principle Scientific Officer (Virology)

Participating in the project:
Mr. Francis McNeilly, Senior Scientific Officer
Mr. John McKillen, Assistant Scientific Officer
Mr. Bernt Hjertner

Address:
Department of Veterinary Science
The Queen's University of Belfast
Stoney Road
BT4 3SD Belfast
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel.: +44-123-252 56 79
Fax: +44-123-252 58 23
E-mail: gordon.allan@dani.gov.uk
Web-site: www.dani.gov.uk