A SYSTEMS-BASED INTERROGATION OF PORCINE CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE DIARRHEA

We hypothesize that C. difficile RT078 strains express multiple unique molecular traits which enable their dominance in theagricultural setting.In this project, we will test this hypothesis by (1) employing newly developed modeling approaches to identify host (porcine)factors engaged by C. difficile; (2) using multi-omics to identify C. difficile RT078 factors important for disease; and (3)performing functional studies in vitro and in neonatal piglets to interrogate C. difficile RT078 virulence.