1)
Determine the infection capacity, growth rate, virulence, and pathogenicity
of a variant Wa strain HRV with gene 5 rearrangement (Wag5re).
2)
Determine the stability of rearranged gene 5 in vivo.
Based on findings from this pilot study and upon acquiring external funding,
we will continue our studies to determine whether the Wag5re or the Wa HRV
with wild-type gene 5 is dominant upon co-infection, the possibility of the
Wag5re strain to regain virulence, and the immunogenicity and the protective
efficacy of the Wag5re. Findings from our studies may lead to a novel
approach for attenuating virulent field rotavirus strains to use them as
vaccines for the prevention of rotavirus disease in humans and animals.
