New discovery may lead to better vaccines for pork producers

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes severe disease in pigs, leading to significant economic losses for pork producers across the globe. It’s estimated that PRRS costs the Canadian pork industry $130M annually. Using the CMCF beamline, researchers from the University of Manitoba and the Leiden University Medical Centre (Netherlands) were able to see the structure of the PRRSV protease, a type of protein the pathogen uses to suppress a host’s immune system. The vital information they uncovered can be used to develop new vaccines against PRRSV and also helps inform development of vaccines against emerging human viruses. To read the story online, visit www.lightsource.ca/public/new...