A multi-million pound programme of strategic research delivered over five years providing science and evidence to support policymakers and its partners. Informed by strong partnerships and the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. Science at the heart of society contributing to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland and beyond.
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Research
Ongoing research (2022-2027)
Displaying 11 - 20 of 36
Galvanising change via natural capital
The aim of this project is to produce constructive insights about the most productive venues (territorially and sectorally) and approaches (how and with and for whom) for using natural capital concepts and data to galvanise change for sustainability.
- Natural Capital
- 2022-2027
Harnessing the gut microbiome to strengthen livestock resilience against carriage and infection by pathogens
Infectious diseases, particularly when caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, are major problems in farmed animals. New treatments are urgently needed to reduce infections. We aim to address this by harnessing the animal intestinal microbiome to boost their defence. We will screen our diverse gut bacterial culture collections to identify health-associated microbes with potent activity against pathogens, including antibiotic resistant strains
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027
Identifying selective cofactors that contribute to the role of the intestinal microbiome as a reservoir of multiple resistance genes transmissible to pathogenic bacteria
It is vital to understand the contribution of resident intestinal bacteria to the environmental flow of antimicrobial resistance genes. We will isolate resistant commensal bacteria from diverse sources, assess the co-carriage of heavy metal resistance genes on mobile genetic elements, compare identical resistance genes between non-harmful and pathogenic bacteria, and investigate the impact selective pressure has on gene evolution and transfer.
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027
Incorporation of whole ecosystem approaches to reduce transmission of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance
Foodborne pathogen infections and antimicrobial resistance are real health crises. The first aim of this project is to identify specific non-harmful bacteria isolated from livestock and the environment that can inhibit growth of a range of pathogens, in order to interrupt the spread of foodborne pathogens across a range of different environments. The second aim is to screen genome sequences from our collection of Campylobacter strains and non-harmful gut bacterial isolates to identify identical genes, and understand their role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the...
- Diet & Food Safety
- 2022-2027
Monitoring veterinary medicine usage to improve animal performance and efficiency
The project assesses the relationship between the medicines used in beef cattle, whether they are used appropriately, and the performance characteristics of the livestock.
- Livestock Improvement
- 2022-2027
Novel diagnostic tools for improved control, monitoring and prevention strategies for the key endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland
Development of novel tools and technologies for the improved control and prevention of economically-important conditions and diseases of livestock in Scotland. These include reproductive failure, lungworms, Johne’s disease, sheep scab, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027
Novel vaccines to combat significant endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland: Gastrointestinal nematode parasites of ruminants
The aim of this project is to develop highly effective, optimised, safe, novel vaccines for the control of the most production- and welfare-limiting endemic diseases of Scottish livestock caused by parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes.
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027
Novel vaccines to combat significant endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland: Vaccine Delivery Platforms
This project is developing highly effective, optimised, safe, novel vaccines for the control of some of the most production- and welfare-limiting endemic diseases of Scottish livestock.
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027
Reciprocal care for nature and wellbeing
This project explores how the capacity to engage with and care for nature can be cultivated. We consider environmental settings, users, mechanisms for benefit (green prescribing, outdoor learning) and investment.
- Use of Outdoors & Greenspace
- 2022-2027
Research into zoonoses and emerging diseases to protect public health and animal health in Scotland
This project is focusing on understanding the risk of emerging vector-borne zoonoses that could affect human and animal health in Scotland and improving our understanding of the transmission of two bacteria which cause food-borne zoonoses in Scotland. Data generated in this project is informing control strategies and is providing mitigation which could break transmission chains, improve animal welfare and production, and save human life.
- Animal Disease
- 2022-2027