This workshop was held as a satellite meeting following the 2-day EADGENE conference on “Genomics for Animal Health”, 13-14th October 2009. 

The EADGENE network seeks to analyse the genetic foundations influencing host-pathogen interactions from the perspective of both the host and the pathogen. Whilst basic research is of central relevance for the network, EADGENE also has a strong commitment to facilitate the practical application of research results in industry.

In this workshop we summarised some of EADGENE´s basic results on the genomics of mastitis in ruminant species, from the perspective of the thoroughly analysed and well documented physiology of E. coli elicited mastitis in the cow. We discussed mastitis research in terms of the necessities which need to be met to eventually convert research results into innovative strategies for protecting ruminants against udder infections. This discussion was inspired by consideration of those molecular patterns of pathogens which ultimately alert the host’s immune defence in the udder. How promising are innovative strategies that exploit such PAMPs or vaccinations to protect the udder against invading pathogens? These considerations built upon lessons which can be learned from tumor biology, where the feasibility of vaccination strategies have already been assessed.

Meta-analysis is a technique that facilitates the combination and integration of data across different studies which address the same biological question. EADGENE’s WP8.1 (Operational Genomics) has used meta-analysis to combine data from various EADGENE mastitis studies, using different ruminant species and in some cases different pathogens.

The workshop was divided into two main sessions:  Biology and Meta-analysis, with a general discussion at the end of the workshop.