As a subset of the alpha herpes virus family, Gallid herpesvirus 2, more commonly known as the Marek’s disease virus (MDV), leads to the occurrence of Marek’s disease in poultry with signs of extreme lymphocyte production affecting weight, limb functionality, etc. As this disease is greatly infectious, it could be problematic in poultry flocks with the virus being rapidly shed from one subject to another. Thus, it is important to get a thorough understanding of MDV, its functionality and interaction with the immune system. In our lab, we are currently investigating the potential role of gamma-delta T-cells in Marek’s disease, so that the obtained knowledge could be potentially applied to optimizing vaccines against MDV infection and discovering preventative measures for the condition.
