United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation

Volpi Ag

Peter Vögeli

Brad T Bosworth

A camera hand piece () with camera housing () has a microscopic probe () at the front end. On the rear side is a transmission cable () which is attached to the camera hand piece () with the aid of a coupling nut (). The camera housing () accommodates a microscope housing () and includes a motorized drive (), which drives an eccentric () via a gear () mounted in a gear housing (). The eccentric () actuates a pusher (), which moves a connecting rod () and thereby displaces a focusing lens system () attached to it in the axial direction. This axially displaceable focusing lens system () together with a condenser lens system (), forms a microscopic lens system arranged in a microscope housing ().

Camera handpiece

The present invention provides non-invasive methods and compositions to differentiate, with a high level of sensitivity and specificity, swine that are genetically susceptible to diseases associated with F18infection, from resistant swine. DNA polymorphisms in the swine alpha (1,2) fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1) gene were used to differentiate resistant from susceptible swine. The invention includes a polypeptide with amino acid substitutions, encoded by the nucleotide polymorphisms, a molecular diagnostic assay, and a kit for the differentiation, ofF18-adhesion resistant, heterozygous (carrier) and homozygous susceptible pigs. The molecular test identifies susceptibility to oedema disease and postweaning diarrhea with high sensitivity and specificity, therefore, is useful to swine breeder in their effort to enhance for resistance. Information on the polymorphisms of the present invention provides insight into causation and treatment ofassociated intestinal disorders.

Growing community of inventors

Zurich, Switzerland

Peter Vögeli