.jpg)
Rome—The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has chosen the SIB (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics)
as a designated reference center to expand its access to state-of the-art
technology in combating dangerous viral infections, including avian influenza
and foot-and-mouth disease, in farm animals and wildlife.
The SIB is equipped with high performance computers,
software, databases and a knowledgebase used for screening and monitoring
zoonotic diseases. These, like avian influenza, also known as bird flu, strike
animals but can also be transmitted to humans.
Working closely with FAO, SIB experts have developed
tools to improve early detection and fast alert systems to prevent and respond
to transboundary disease emergencies in poultry or livestock.
"The new technology helps us understand biological
threats in order to help countries better prevent, respond and ultimately
protect the health of humans, animals and the environment," said FAO's
Chief Veterinary Officer, Juan Lubroth.
Bioinformatics
SIB specializes in bioinformatics, a relatively new
science which employs computer technology to study biological data. Scientists
use bioinformatics to gather, process and analyze information on the genomes of
pathogens - the genetic material peculiar to specific micro-organisms, such as
viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause diseases in their hosts.
This lets them compare genomes, understand protein
structures, and identify how diseases work at the molecular level. Such
information enables scientists to develop new drugs and targeted treatments as
well as improve the effectiveness of existing medicines.
The new technologies play an important role in
understanding the nature and dynamics of biological threats, and FAO, in
collaboration with SIB, has developed online e-learning courses on
bioinformatics in viral pathogens that can help laboratory technicians, physicians,
veterinarians and researchers around the world improve their work while
increasing access to this emerging field of competence.
Sharing
vital knowledge
SIB's database feeds information into FAO's Global Animal
Disease Information System (EMPRES-i), the web-based application that supports
veterinary services access regional and global disease information.
In particular SIB's databases on OpenFlu—already linked
to EMPRES-i and combining virological and epidemiological information—and OpenFMD,
provide resources on influenza and foot-and-mouth viruses respectively. This
will help scientists in developing countries contribute directly to the global
knowledge base on these diseases and properly assess the risk posed to their
countries.
Future joint initiatives include a genetic module for
Rift Valley fever - a viral disease that is potentially devastating to
livestock and can also be transmitted to humans—peste des petits ruminants, and African swine fever.
Reference
Centers
FAO Reference Centers are regarded as centers of excellence
in providing scientific and technical expertise on issues related to the
agency's mandate. FAO has identified 18 technical areas for which collaboration
with Reference Centers is currently required.
Comments
Post a Comment