**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LAWSONIA INTRACELLULARIS IS A BACTERIUM THAT INFECTS THE INTESTINE OF PIGS. THE INFECTION CAUSED DIARRHEA, DECREASED NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AND DEATH IN SEVERE CASES. TO DATE, IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW THESE BACTERIA ENTER THE INTESTINE AND CAUSE DISEASE. THIS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE LIMITS OUR CAPACITY TO CONTROL THE INFECTION. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A LAB MODEL THAT ALLOWS US TO STUDY THE INFECTION WITHOUT USING LIVE ANIMALS. WE PLAN TO USE THIS MODEL TO IDENTIFY HOW THE BACTERIA WORK AND TEST COMPOUNDS TO STOP THE DISEASE. THEN, WE WILL TEST IN LIVE ANIMALS THOSE PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OUR MODEL. THIS WORK WILL GENERATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE INFECTION AND IDENTIFY COMPOUNDS THAT COULD BE USED BY PIG PRODUCERS TO KEEP ANIMALS GROWING AND HEALTHY.