Raymond Robert Richard Rowland

Raymond Robert Richard Rowland serves as the Head and Professor of Pathobiology at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on viral pathogenesis and genetic solutions to combat porcine diseases, particularly Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV). He leads studies on CRISPR-Cas gene editing to develop virus-resistant livestock populations and investigates molecular mechanisms of viral entry and host immunity.

Key research areas include CD163 receptor function in PRRSV infection, N-linked glycosylation roles in viral replication, and fetal protection through genetic modifications. Collaborations span veterinary medicine, molecular biology, and agricultural biotechnology.

Recent work has generated commercial-scale CRISPR-edited pig populations and demonstrated complete resistance to PRRSV through CD163 gene deletion. These studies highlight translational applications of genetic engineering in livestock disease control.