18th February 2013 The Poultry CRC continues to attract
exemplary PhD candidates. One of our latest recruits,
veterinarian Dr Jemma Bergfeld (based at CSIRO’s Australian
Animal Health Laboratory [AAHL]) is set to unravel the
mechanisms underlying Newcastle Disease (ND). Caused by virulent
strains of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV1), this devastating
and highly contagious virus is regarded as one of the most
important diseases affecting poultry globally. Previous
outbreaks of virulent Newcastle disease virus in Australia have
been associated with high economic and social costs, not to
mention the welfare impact on the birds themselves. Jemma
explains, “I am investigating the molecular basis for the
virulence of APMV1 to determine why the virus is pathogenic in
some animals and not others. We will also explore the molecular
basis of the low pathogenicity exhibited in poultry by ND
isolates that are reportable to the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE).” Of particular interest is why the pigeon
paramyxo