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'''Project Title:''' Recombinant α-toxin as a protective antigen against Necrotic Enteritis 

'''Project Leader:''' [[Peter Smooker|Peter Smooker]] (Project 04-16)
  	
'''Duration of Project:'''
Now completed (6 December 2004 to 6 December 2005)


===Project overview===
The alpha-toxin protein of Clostridium perfringens was proposed to be one of the major virulence factors causing necrotic enteritis.

====Project objectives====
* engineer the gene encoding alpha-toxin to produce recombinant protein in E. coli. and develop protocols to produce both toxic and non-toxic variants; and
* develop protocols using recombinant alpha-toxin to demonstrate that the protein alone could induce symptoms of necrotic enteritis, and evaluate the toxin in vaccine trials.

===Project progress===
Recombinant proteins (both active and inactive) were produced and used in a series of experimental protocols designed to determine the role of alpha-toxin in causing disease and in the ability of the toxin to vaccinate against disease. Some indications of alpha-toxin activity were observed, however a definitive role for alpha-toxin as the primary virulence factor requires further investigation. [See Key development in the fight against necrotic enteritis - 11 August 06]