Project Snapshot

Prevention of Transmission Pillar

Structure and Function Study of Glycopeptides as Anti-adhesive Agent  

Project Key Words: Ovomucin, Glycopeptide, Anti-adhesive Agent, Piglet

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jianping Wu, PhD

Co-Investigator(s): Dr. Michael Gänzle, PhD; Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra, PhD

Trainees: Dr. Myoungjin Son, PDF; Ying Hu, Research Associate; Gautam Gaur, PhD Student; Xu Jiang, PhD Student

Project Theme: Innovation and Commercialization

The Aim

The aim of this project is to develop egg protein derived glycopeptides as an anti-adhesive agent against swine infection.

The focus is to test the efficacy of glycopeptides in a swine infection model.

Why is This Important?

Infection of piglets with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of diarrhea, leading to significant economic losses in pig production.  Using antibiotic such as Colistin is known to cause highly resistant E.coli in swine.

Outcomes

  1. A method to prepare glycopeptides from egg protein
  2. An anti-ahdesive agent with potential use as an alternative to antibiotics

 

Research Questions

Can glycopeptides derived from ovomucin be applicable as an antibiotic alternative?

Our Approach

  1. Ovomucin will be extracted from egg whites and the glyopeptides will be prepared.
  2. The anti-adhesive activity of glycopeptides will be studied.
  3. The efficacy of glycopeptides will be validated in piglet models
  4. We will then sequence the fecal metagenome.

Leveraged Sources of Support

  • MIF Funds
  • Egg Farmers of Canada
  • NSERC
  • CSC (China Scholarship Council)
  • CRC

Knowledge & Technology: Exchange and Exploitation

  • New alternatives to antibiotics
  • Reduced antibiotic resistance

Highly Qualified Personnel

  • 1 PDF
  • 1 Research Associate
  • 2 PhD Students

Leveraged Sources of Support  

  • MIF Funds
  • Egg Farmers of Canada
  • NSERC
  • CSC (China Scholarship Council)
  • CRC

Knowledge & Technology Exchange and Exploitation  

  • New alternatives to antibiotics
  • Reduced antibiotic resistance

Highly Qualified Personnel   

  • 1 PDF
  • 1 Research Associate
  • 2 PhD Students