Meeting Abstract

S4.2-1  Sunday, Jan. 5 10:30  Using molecular techniques to measure immune responses and infectious disease dynamics in non-model species FASSBINDER-ORTH, C; Creighton University carolfassbinder-orth@creighton.edu

Historically, the use of cutting-edge molecular techniques to study immunological gene expression and related cellular pathways has been largely limited to model organisms. Few studies have been performed that quantify the molecular immunological responses of non-model species, especially in response to infectious diseases. This dearth of information has largely occurred due to the lack of available non-model species-specific gene sequences and immunological reagents and also due to prohibitively expensive technology. However, with the rapid development of various sequencing and transcriptomic technologies, gene expression profiling of non-model organisms has become possible. Technologies and concepts explored here include an overview of digital vs. analog transcriptomics, next-generation sequencing (NGS), NGS-based gene-expression profiling (RNA-Seq), bead-based gene expression assays, microarrays, and qRT-PCR. Examples of the advancement of these technologies in non-model systems are discussed. Additionally, applications, limitations and feasibility of the use of these methodologies in non-model systems to address questions in ecological immunology and disease ecology are specifically addressed.