VETIMMUNE: VETerinary IMmunogenetics and ImMUne Repertoire Analysis for PrecisioN Veterinary Medicine

• Grant number: 24/18875-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Heidge Fukumasu
• Grantee: Heidge Fukumasu
• Principal researcher abroad: Sofia Kossida
• Institution abroad: Université Montpellier 2, France
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Mirele Daiana Poleti
• Associated research grant: 22/09378-5 - Development of innovative therapies and diagnostic tools for veterinary oncology, AP.TEM

Abstract

The annotation and analysis of immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) genes in veterinary species are vital for improving the diagnosis and treatment of immune-related diseases, particularly in companion animals like dogs and cats affected by lymphoma. These studies provide critical insights into the evolutionary development of adaptive immune systems across species, enhancing understanding of immune responses and enabling the development of tools to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD). The International Immunogenetics Information System (IMGT®) plays a key role in these efforts by offering a comprehensive platform for immunogenetics and immunoinformatics, supporting the global scientific community in exploring adaptive immunity in various species.Collaboration between IMGT® and the Laboratory of Comparative and Translational Oncology (LOCT) in Brazil aims to integrate advanced bioinformatics tools with wet-lab techniques to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for immune-related diseases and cancers in veterinary species. The partnership focuses on biocurating IG and TR loci across species to advance evolutionary and comparative immunology studies. The collaboration involves exchange missions between IMGT® and LOCT researchers to strengthen expertise in high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and immunosequencing applications.This interdisciplinary initiative is expected to yield significant advancements, including the development of improved molecular diagnostic tools, such as clonality tests for dogs and cats, and the biocuration of IG and TR loci in various breeds. Additionally, the collaboration will support translational applications in veterinary oncology, leading to more precise and personalized treatment strategies for animals with immune-related diseases and cancers. (AU)