Computer science researchers in the Department of Computer Science at John Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering set out to answer an age-old question, “Why are some individuals within the population of black Angus cows responding very differently to the same vaccine?”
Their research examined a distinguishing feature of bovine immunity: the long complementarity-determining region H3 loops in the antibodies they create. They found the ultralong CDR H3 loops are key to developing antibody responses against BRD.
Analyzing antibody sequencing data, Yana Safonova and her team pinpointed genetic variations in antibodies associated with immune responses finding variations in how individual animals respond to vaccine doses.
. . . vaccine efficacy for an individual is pre-determined before the vaccine is even administered.”
Source: BEEF, April 25, 2022. Link. Because the team’s method can reveal these genetic markers, cattle producers could potentially use this information to selectively breed cows that are less susceptible to BRD based off their genetic predisposition, says Safonova.
INSIGHTS: Cross disciplinary research is fascinating as are the results of Safonova’s team’s research on BRD vaccine response. Only time will tell if our industry can effectively develop tools to identify immune genotypes while maintaining growth and meat quality. Reducing BRD will also reduce the use of antibiotics over time.
Meanwhile, sharing the direction of these results with cattle producers will strengthen their natural intuition when selecting or culling individuals for their herds.
Also see: Gene-edited beef cattle get regulatory clearance in U.S., AHD, March 15, 2022. Link.