Roadmap for the development of diagnostic tests for FMD

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

To establish if there are biological markers of persistence and identify them.

What are the scientific and technological challenges
(knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Identify markers of carrier state

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

Proteomic approaches in persistent /not persistent cells would allow to detect specific markers of persistence.

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Understand the mechanisms of persistence.

The pathogen and host factors that contribute to FMDV persistence are currently not understood.

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

Some mechanisms of persistence at the cellular level (in the soft palate) begin to be understood.