Dr. Shayan Sharif
Principal Investigator
Dr. Shayan Sharif earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. Following graduation, Dr. Sharif practised for close to two years as a veterinarian in the broiler industry in Iran. Subsequently, he came to Guelph to pursue a PhD degree in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph.
Research Interests
Immune response to Marek’s disease virus in chickens
Immunology of avian influenza virus infection in chickens
Interactions between commensal bacteria in the intestine and the chicken immune system
The primary focus of my research group is to understand how the chicken immune system recognizes and responds to viral pathogens. Our primary focus is to elucidate the mechanisms involved in initiation and regulation of T cell response. To achieve this objective, we are utilizing new technology, including microarrays, mass spectrometry, tetramers, and real-time PCR to dissect the molecular mechanisms of immunity to viral pathogens.
Another area of research in my laboratory investigates the effects of intestinal microbiota manipula