Member SpotlightsMicrobiologist Devoting His Talents to Improving Livestock John D. Neill, Ph.D. A Member Since June 1999 As a microbiologist for the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Dr. John D. Neill is located at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa. Although he’s always been interested in science, he did not know that microbiology would be his passion until college. At the encouragement of his friends, Dr. Neill enrolled in an undergraduate microbiology program at the University of Nebraska. After graduating, he continued on at the university and obtained a M.S. in veterinary virology. He performed his graduate work at Indiana State University where he developed yeast strains genetically engineered to produce wheat gliadin proteins. During his postdoctoral fellowship at the National Animal Disease Center, Dr. Neill studied caliciviruses, which cause diseases ranging from respiratory infections in cats to food borne illness in people. The USDA was investigating whether these viruses were a threat to livestock and after research conducted by Dr. Neill and his collaborator, concluded that it was not. After a second postdoctoral fellowship, this time in industry at the agricultural seed company, Pioneer Hi-Bred International in Johnston, Iowa, Dr. Neill accepted a permanent position at to the National Animal Disease Center. He currently is studying bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), which is a major pathogen in cattle in the United States. As a member of the flavivirus family that includes such notable members as hepatitis C, dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, BVDV is capable of displaying multiple levels of virulence. BVDV is spread primarily by animal-to-animal contact. Due to the close quarters dairy cows experience, this virus is a problem for the dairy industry but still has a large impact on the beef cattle industry. Cattle infected with BVDV show decreased weight gain, decreased milk production and immunosuppression. Besides these symptoms, the virus can be lethal and often results in abortions, stillbirths and persistently-infected calves that spread the virus for life. While there are almost 140 different vaccines on the market for prophylactic protection against BVDV, they are not very effective because so many strains of the virus exist. Dr. Neill’s team is working on developing a more comprehensive vaccine that would enhance herd protection. His research involves functional genomics using serial analyses of gene expression. Since this project was begun before bovine microarrays existed, this approach was considered the best available and has indeed proved to be quite productive. When not working in the laboratory, Dr. Neill enjoys bicycling around the Iowa farmlands. He is also in the midst of constructing his first strip-built kayak out of cedar, pine and redwood. He plans on christening it this spring in one of the nearby rivers. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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