Epidemiological analysis of virulence encoded large copy number plasmids involved in avian cellulitis in broiler chickens.

Genomic characterization of avian cellulitis Escherichia coli isolates using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis.

Establishment of a comprehensive database for cellular wall fatty acid component profiles of un-classified pathogenic bacteria involved in poultry disease.

Development of multiplex PCR protocols for the identification of poultry pathogens including:

Genomic characterization and contrast comparison of Clostridium perfringens isolates recovered from healthy broiler chickens and broiler chickens affected by necrotic enteritis and their association with the presence and expression of a, b, e encoding genes.

Human pathogen identification and quantification of bacterial isolates recovered from a dead-bird protein recovery product produced in the state of Alabama. This project is a cooperative effort of the Poultry Science Department's Poultry Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory, the Alabama State Veterinarian's Office and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Determination of possible associations of Major Histocompatability Complex (B loci gene family) components and their influence on Escherichia coli invasion and replication and the pathogenesis of cellulitis in broiler chickens.

Determination of possible associations of Major Histocompatability Complex (B loci gene family) components and their influence on Clostridium perfringens colonization and a, b,e toxin gene expression.

Antimicrobial resistance testing of poultry pathogens and their association with human pathogens isolated from finished poultry products.