Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th February 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Funding to develop new vaccines for Bovine TB
with cow
Bovine TB is one of the biggest challenges facing the cattle farming industry today.
Research will play a crucial role in eradication strategies 

Over £700,000 of funding has been awarded to the Roslin Institute to help develop new effective vaccines against bovine TB (bTB).

Led by professor Ivan Morrison, the project will examine a population of non-conventional bovine T-cells (NKp46+CD3+) as a novel target for vaccines against the disease.

The project forms part of a research programme subsidised by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the National Researchers Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), and Defra to further understand the disease and the interactions between bTB and its host.

BBSRC chief executive professor Jackie Hunter, commented: “The basic bioscience funded through this integrated research programme will play a crucial role in the development of next generation control and eradication strategies for bovine TB.

“Increasing the production of herd to this disease is a top priority for UK food security, allowing greater food production from the same amount of land and reducing wastage in the food chain whilst reducing the cost UK taxpayers.”

Bovine TB is one of the biggest challenges facing the cattle farming industry today - particularly in the West and South West of England.

Current ‘test-and-slaughter’ policy has failed to constrain the spread of the disease. Researchers say that further understanding of the basic bioscience underpinning the disease will lead to a "step-change" in its treatment and eradication.

The newly awarded funding will help professor Morrison shed further light on the mycobacterial lipids that lead to NKp46+CD3+ T-cell responses in vivo and determine whether these responses could guide the development of new vaccines.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.