Differences in gene expression were compared between RNAs from lungs of high (HR) and low (LR) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) burden pigs using the swine protein-annotated long oligonucleotide microarray, the Pigoligoarray. Pathway analyses were carried out to determine biological processes, pathways and networks that differ between the LR and HR responses. Differences existed between HR and LR pigs for 16 signalling pathways [P < 0.01/-log (P-value) >1.96]. Top canonical pathways included acute phase response signalling, crosstalk between dendritic cells and natural killer cells and tight junction signalling, with numerous immune response genes that were upregulated (SOCS1, SOD2, RBP4, HLA-B, HLA-G, PPP2R1A and TAP1) or downregulated (IL18, TF, C4BPA, C1QA, C1QB and TYROBP). One mechanism, regulation of complement activation, may have been blocked in HR (PRRSV-susceptible) pigs and could account for the poor clearance of PRRSV by infected macrophages. Multiple inhibiting signals may have prevented effective immune responses in susceptible HR pigs, although some protective genes were upregulated in these pigs. It is likely that in HR pigs, expression of genes associated with protection was delayed, so that the immune response was not stimulated early; thus, PRRSV infection prevented protective immune responses.

Improving the quality, value, and safety of national food supplies is the common mission of several Federal agencies. Under different authorities, these agencies conduct basic and applied research, develop curriculum at higher educational institutions, and disseminate new scientific knowledge about food processing, formulation, and preservation to a broad range of stakeholders. Emerging food processing technologies, including various thermal and nonthermal processes, as well as chemical processes, have received increased attention and investment in recent years. Some agencies dealing with Emerging Technologies include the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), and all of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The U.S. Army Natick Research Center of Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Department of Human Health Service (DHHS) also are involved in this research area. These agencies have their vision, mission, strategic goals, and current programs and activities related to emerging food processing technologies. The synergy of effective collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders is the key to generating an impact greater than the simple sum of all.

Nanotechnology, abbreviated from Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology, is based our new ability to image, measure, model, control and manipulate matter at dimension of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where novel phenomena enable new applications. This exceptional capability has been leading us to a vast array of new technologies that will impact virtually every aspect of science and technology, industry, economy, the environment, and human lives. In the USA, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), a joint effort of 25 Federal Departments and Agencies, has sought to accelerate responsible development and deployment of nanotechnology to create jobs and economic growth, and to improve the quality of life for all citizens. As an active participant and contributor of the NNI, USDA strives to bring the new cutting edge science to address the critical challenges facing US agriculture and food systems. This paper will present an overview of nanotechnology for food and agricultural research in USA. Examples of current research projects supported by the USDA will be used to illustrate various potential applications of nanotechnology to improve food quality and safety.