CBRC | South Dakota State University

Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization

Joy Scaria’s research focuses on the next generation of treatment to keep animals healthy

South Dakota State University recognized Joy Scaria with the 2018 Dr. Sherwood and Elizabeth Berg Young Faculty Award. Scaria is an SDSU assistant professor in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department. Scaria secured over $6 million in new funding. His new whole genome sequencing center within the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department and South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory contributes substantially to the FDA Genome Trak program and FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network. The overuse of antibiotics is a concern worldwide. Scaria’s work seeks to find alternatives to antibiotics. Scaria’s intense research effort is directed to the microbiomes of humans and animals, specifically swine, poultry and cattle. This field of research began about 10 years ago and is exploding in terms of knowledge. (Page 50)

Sydney Bormann, a junior human biology major at South Dakota State University

SDSU student-athlete identifies bacteria to improve gut health

Bormann, a member of the SDSU women’s golf team, received an American Society of Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship to support her summer research on gut microbiota, under the supervision of assistant professor Joy Scaria in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. She is one of 26 students nationwide to receive the fellowship.

Some animal viruses may survive in imported feed ingredients

A journey over land and sea may not keep animal diseases away.

Researchers from South Dakota State University, Pipestone Veterinary Services in Minnesota and Kansas State University found that seven of the 11 animal viruses tested can potentially survive the transglobal journey from Asia or Europe to the United States in at least two commonly imported feed ingredients.
The scientists examined virus survivability in 11 imported feed ingredients and products by replicating the environmental conditions in shipping containers.

“The findings of this study show that feed biosecurity should be a major priority for pork producers and ultimately, the livestock industry,” said assistant professor Diego Diel, who led the SDSU team.
Diel and his team at the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory assessed the ability of 10 viruses to survive the 37-day journey from Beijing, China, to Des Moines, Iowa. One postdoctoral researcher, three research associates and a microbiologist worked on the project.

The laboratory of Dr. Ben Hause focuses on the discovery and characterization of emerging viruses that affect swine and cattle.

His laboratory uses a variety of traditional and contemporary virology techniques to investigate the etiologic role of novel viruses in clinical disease. In addition to molecular and laboratory studies, his research studies virus pathogenesis in the host species. The development of vaccines to mitigate disease caused by emerging viruses which lack countermeasures is an area of focus.

About the CBRC

The mission of the Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization (CBRC) is to be a nationally recognized center of excellence in biologics research. The CBRC aims to conduct translational research in nutraceuticals, probiotics, vaccines and diagnostics in close collaboration with industry partners. The center will capitalize on core technology platforms developed by its members and focus its research activities on the development of new “biologics” to improve human and animal health.

Objectives and Goals

The multidisciplinary scope of the CBRC team is expected to advance human and animal health at the regional, national and global level by accelerating biomedical and veterinary discoveries that will lead to the development of novel biologics for use in human and animal health.

CBRC's Team

Director - Jane Christopher-Hennings, DVM, M.S.
Industry Liaison - Eric Nelson, M.S., Ph.D.
Ben Hause, Ph.D., Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Kendra Kattelmann, Ph.D., Professor, SDSU
Joy Scaria, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, SDSU
Jaime Lopez-Mosqueda, Ph.D., Biology/Microbiology

Michael Chaussee, Ph.D., Associate Professor, USD
Victor Huber, Ph.D., Associate Professor, USD

Stephen Herrmann, PhD

Feng Li, DVM, Ph.D., Professor, UK
Dan Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UK