Brad S. Pickering, PhD

Research Scientist (Special Pathogens Unit)

The study of Zoonotic viruses of veterinary importance including; pathogenesis, host-virus interaction, transmission, animal models and diagnostic assay development. 

Current research and/or projects

My current research focuses on high consequence zoonotic agents of veterinary importance including Henipaviruses, Ebolaviruses, and Rift Vally Fever virus.

Research and/or project statements

  • Nipah virus vaccine efficacy testing and correlates of protection in swine
  • Development of Ebola virus diagnostics using serological and molecular biology applications
  • Co-infection and its effect on ebolavirus disease progression in swine

Education and awards

  • B.Sc. with Distinction, Microbiology, University of Manitoba, 2003
  • Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Manitoba, 2010
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Childrens Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, 2009-2012
  • NSERC Visiting Fellowship, CFIA, NCFAD Special Pathogens unit, 2012-2013
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Manitoba, NCFAD Special Pathogens unit, 2013-2014
  • Presidents award BSL4 Znet - Best practices 2017

Key publications

Xu W, Hole K, Goolia M, Pickering B, Salo T, Lung O, et al. (2017) Genome wide analysis of the evolution of Senecavirus A from swine clinical material and assembly yard environmental samples. PLoS ONE 12(5): e0176964

B.S. Pickering, B. Collignon, G. Smith, P. Marszal, G. Kobinger, and H.M. Weingartl, 2017. Detection of ZEBOV in swine: Assay development and optimization. Transbound Emerg Dis. 2017 Mar 27. doi: 10.1111

Brad S. Pickering, John M. Hardham, Greg Smith, Eva Weingartl, Paul Dominowski, Dennis Foss, Duncan Mwangi, Christopher C. Broder, James A. Roth, Hana M. Weingartl, 2016. Protection against henipaviruses in swine requires both, cell-mediated and humoral immune response. Vaccine. 14;34(40):4777-86. Doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.08.028.

Yohannes Berhane, Darwyn Kobasa, Carissa Embury-Hyatt, Brad Pickering, Shawn Babiuk, et al., 2015. Molecular and Pathobiological Characterization of a Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Virus Isolate from British Columbia, 2015. Sci Rep. 2016; 6: 23380.

Leng Y., Vakulskas CA., Zere TR., Pickering BS., Watnick PI., Babitzke P., Romeo T., 2015. Regulation of CsrB/C sRNA decay by EIIAGlc of the phosphoenolpyruvate: carbohydrate phosphotransferase system. Molecular Microbiology. DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13259.

Pickering BS, Tyler S, Smith G, Burton L, Li M, Dallaire A, et al. 2015. Identification of a Novel Afipia Species Isolated from an Indian Flying Fox. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0121274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0121274

Pickering, B., Lopilato J., Smith D.R., and Watnick P.I., 2014. The Transcription Factor Mlc Promotes Vibrio cholerae Biofilm Formation through Repression of Phosphotransferase System Components. Journal of Bacteriology, 196(13): 2423-2430.

Pickering B.S., Smith D.R., and Watnick P.I., 2012. Glucose-Specific Enzyme IIA Has Unique Binding Partners in the Vibrio cholerae Biofilm. MBio, e00228-12.

Pickering, B.S., Yudistira H and Oresnik, I.J., 2012. Characterization of the Twin-Arginine Transport Secretome in Sinorhizobium meliloti and Evidence for Host-Dependent Phenotypes. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79(19): 7141-7144.

Houot L, Chang S, Pickering BS, Absalon C., Watnick, PI. 2010. The phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system regulates Vibrio Cholerae biofilm formation through multiple independent pathways. Journal of Bacteriology, 192(16):4083-5.

Pickering, B.S., and Oresnik, I.J., 2010. The Twin Arginine Transport System Appears To Be Essential for Viability in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Journal of Bacteriology, 192(19):5173-80

Barney A. Geddes., Brad S. Pickering., Nathan J. Poysti, Heather Collins, Harry Yudistira and Ivan J. Oresnik, 2010. A Locus Necessary for the Transport and Catabolism of erythritol in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Microbiology, Oct;156 (Pt 10): 2970-81.

Pickering, B.S. and Oresnik, I.J., 2008. Formate-dependent autotrophic growth in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Journal of Bacteriology, 190(19): 6409-18.

Research facility

1015 Arlington Street
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4
Canada

Affiliations

University of Manitoba, department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious diseases

Language

English