Page 19 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 3

introduced the use of a PCR test, based on small subunit ribosomal RNA genes, which he had developed in Cambridge and at ILRAD. The new test could identify six Theileria spe- cies and it was used for over a decade to
identify Theileria in buffaloes. The test was also further developed by N. E. (Nicola) Collins and Paula Allsopp to study the relationships between different species and subspecies of Theileria and Babesia in South Africa. Research on other haemoparasites continued, including the identification of immunogenic proteins of Anaplasma marginale and Ehrlichia ruminantium by J. (Jeanni) Fehrsen, another new appointee.
In 1992 the Institute was transferred to the control of the parastatal Agricultu- ral Research Council and became the ARC- OVI (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) which necessitated major changes in its organization and research culture. Free- dom from direct state control and financial support implied greater dependence on external funding. This, in turn, required a paradigm shift from a science-oriented to a client-oriented research programme. The marketability of his/her research became a major concern for each staff member. To meet the challenge it was decided to restructure all research into multi-discipli- nary programmes, each led by a program- me leader and incorporating team mem- bers from different scientific disciplines. For operational reasons the traditional sec- tions based on specific disciplines persisted but individuals could contribute to more than one programme across the ‘section borders’.
An outstanding example of the success of the new approach was the Diagnostic Programme, which operated with contributions from all sections. It soon became the major
A colony of Ehrlichia rumantium, casual organism of heartwater, in a brain smear
ONDERSTEPOORT 100
source of external income for the OVI, confirming that the needs of a specific group of clients were met. It also resulted in an increasing shift in emphasis in many research program-
mes towards the development and use of improved diagnostic reagents. Research previously reported under the banner of Molecular Biology was consolidated in a programme called Haemoparasitic Diseases under the leadership of Basil Allsopp. A close collaboration was established with the Section of Protozoology, whose staff contributed almost half of the projects included in this programme. The in vitro cultivation of Ehrlichia ruminantium by E.P. Zweygarth played an important role in facilitating studies on heartwater, for example. To deal with the increased level of activity several new recruits joined the team, including K.A. (Kelly) Brayton from Purdue University in the USA, E.P. (Etienne) de Villiers and J. (Junita) Liebenberg from the University of Stellenbosch, and A. (Alri) Pretorius from the University of Pretoria.
Achievements over the next three years included the development of a highly sensitive and specific competition inhibi-
tion ELISA test for A. marginale in colla- boration with US workers, the further refinement of PCR diagnostic tests for Theileria and Ehrlichia ruminantium, and
the application of these tests to study
the epidemiology of the diseases they
cause. An important discovery was the 109 demonstration of extensive and previously unsuspected genetic diversity in isolates of
both organisms.
In the case of Ehrlichia ruminantium the discovery of its
phylogenetic relationship to other Ehrlichia species contri- buted to its renaming as Ehrlichia ruminantium. New improved genomic libraries were also produced for this organism, and the first attempts were made to develop a recombinant vaccine using Salmonella as a vaccine vector. In 1996 the name of the programme was changed to Heartwater, reflecting a decision by Allsopp to focus his attention on this organism in view of the important national need to improve the control of the disease. Various genome segments were cloned and sequenced and expression libraries were constructed and tested for immunizing ability using a locally designed and constructed gene gun. This work led to the identification of a genomic locus containing four genes which, when presented as a DNA vaccine, conferred total protection in sheep against a laboratory challenge with virulent E. ruminantium organisms. Work on these genes continues to the present time.
In 1998 Basil Allsopp attracted substantial funding from the Department of Science and Technology and the University
B.A. Allsopp, Head of the Molecular Biology Section (1992-2002) and subsequently Professor of Molecular Parasitology at the Faculty
“In 1992 the Institute was transferred to the control of the parastatal Agricultural Research Council and became the ARC-OVI (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) which necessitated major changes in its organization and research culture.”
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnoly and Immunochemistry
1908-2008
Years