Research roadmap for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine development

1. Use a genomics approach to acquire knowledge on the cell-biology of Mmm (Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides) and host-pathogen interactions to aid the development of improved live attenuated and subunit vaccines (and diagnostics) for the control (and eradication) of CBPP.

1. Mmm contains many hypothetical genes and genes of unknown function.
2. To target vaccine R&D from an understanding of Mmm at a molecular level and strain differences as well as the host responses to infection and those which contribute to immunity to CBPP and those that contribute to disease.

1. Complete whole genome sequencing and annotation to define the pan and core genome of Mmm.
2. Develop a database of the transcriptome, proteome, glycome, other ‘omes of Mmm.
3. Map gene expression regulatory circuits.
4. Create a comparative genomics database of Mmm, the mycoides cluster and other mycoplasma species.
5. Use computational tools to predict protein function/s and to identify candidate virulence factors, immunomodulators and vaccine antigens.
6. Undertake forward and reverse vaccinology approaches to identify candidate vaccine antigens.

Target Mmm molecules based on antigen homologs.

1. A collection of well characterized laboratory and recent field strains of Mmm and related mycoplasmas.
2. Assays and methods to unravel the cell-biology of Mmm and host-pathogen interactions.
3. Assays and methods to select and down-select candidate subunit vaccine antigens.
4. Assays, methods and biomarkers to design improved LAVs.
5. A library Mmm mutants to link genotype to phenotype.
6. A challenge model that resembles natural infection.