Dr. Chanaka Mendis serves as Assistant Provost and is entering his 15th year at UW-Platteville. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Mendis served as the Assistant Dean of Faculty and Staff Affairs for two years in the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science. Prior to joining the Department of Chemistry faculty in the fall of 2004, he earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C in 1999.
Dairy production is a major economic driver in Wisconsin, generating 43.5% of the state’s total agriculture activity contributing $45.6 billion to industrial revenues and providing157,100 viable employment opportunities. Vital to the growth of dairy industry is the prevention of any environmental stresses or contagious pathogen (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae) exposure to dairy cows. Monitoring and preventing such stresses and exposures can optimize dairy production and ensure animal health and welfare. Equally important economic driver in Wisconsin is the vast cropland. Alfalfa is known for its high nitrogen-fixing ability, excellent nutritional value and help grow farm businesses and communities. The proposal will allow us to assess the shock response induced in cows by assessing the alterations to a known set of gene expression pattern (QPCR).
We will use sequencing reads through Oxford nanopore Sequencer to identify and treat any pathogenic exposure prior to becoming a full-blown outbreak. Additionally, the funding will also allow us to find ways to optimize alfalfa heat tolerance by evaluating alterations to a set of heat shock induced genes through QPCR. This portion will be done as a collaboration with Dr. Pugh funded through a DIH-DI3. Stress response and pathogenic exposure of dairy cows can be assessed using milk, blood or manure samples but initially though collection of manure samples (approved by Pioneer-Farm administration) at regular intervals (prevention) or when environment factors change/outbreaks suspected. Control and treated Alfalfa plant samples will be provided by Dr. Pugh to carry out the gene expression analysis.