Moredun Magazine Issue 9

Moredun ISSUE 9 | SPRING/SUMMER 2015

magazine

Launch of BarbervaxÂŽ Aquaculture Research Group Crown Estate Partnership

www.moredun.org.uk

Director’s comment Photo | Kevin McCollum

Contents In this Issue: p1

Edinburgh Napier and Moredun sign MOU

p2-3

New diagnostic tests for sheep scab and Chlamydial abortion now available

p4

New Aquaculture Research Group

p6

Moredun launches Barbervax® - a vaccine for Barbers Pole Worm

p8

Edinburgh International Science Festival

p10

Moredun scientists awarded new grants

p12

Focus On… Regional Advisors Workshop

p13

Crown Estate Partnership Moredun Scholarship

A very warm welcome to the Summer edition of the Moredun Magazine. We are particularly pleased to report the launch of Barbervax®, the first commercially available vaccine against Haemonchus contortus, the most important roundworm parasite of sheep and goats worldwide. This has been a major achievement for our scientists and the culmination of over 25 years research (pages 6-7).

Two of our diagnostic tests, against sheep scab and chlamydial abortion, are also now commercially available (pages 2-3) and we hope these will make a significant impact to improve the prevention and control of livestock disease.

We are delighted to welcome the new Aquaculture Research Group to Moredun which is an exciting collaboration with Benchmark Animal Health to produce vaccines for the global aquaculture industry (page 4).

The incidence of disease outbreaks has significantly hampered the aquaculture industry and pathogens and parasites are estimated to cost the global industry £4-5 billion annually in lost revenue. Vaccination is a preferable option to prevent disease in fish compared to using anti-microbials.

Our scientists have been very successful in winning new research funding for a range of different projects looking at: development of new parasite vaccines; understanding resistance of cattle to cryptosporidiosis; testing variation of host responsiveness to recombinant worm vaccines; determining the inflammatory processes involved in ovine footrot and looking at the efficacy of different worming regimes in horses (pages 10-11).

These projects involve collaborations with other scientific organisations and industry partners both in the UK and Europe and emphasise the importance Moredun places on partnership working.

I would like to add my personal thanks to all our staff for their significant contributions and in particular our fantastic Regional Advisors who give their valuable time to work with us to ensure that our research outputs and outreach work remain useful to those working in the livestock industry (page 12).

We do hope that you enjoy this issue of the magazine and thank you for your continued interest in and support of our work.

Julie Fitzpatrick Scientific Director and Chief Executive

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

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The Moredun Foundation is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland No. SC151865.

The Moredun Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC022515 Address: Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, EH26 0PZ. Cover image: Sheep and lamb

by Jim Mackintosh

NEWS

Professor Lee Innes awarded an MBE Moredun is very proud to announce that Professor Lee Innes, Director of Communications and a Principal Scientist at Moredun, was awarded an MBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honours for services to scientific research and communication.

Lee has made a significant contribution to improve livestock health and welfare both in the UK and internationally and she is particularly interested in science communication and education.

Professor Innes commented, “This is an extraordinary honour, which I am delighted to accept in recognition of our brilliant research and communications teams here at Moredun. I have been fortunate to have worked with some very talented people throughout my career”.

Professor Lee Innes MBE

Veterinary Vaccinology Network launch website A new website has been launched following the creation of a multidisciplinary network of veterinary vaccinology experts.

The network will provide opportunities for researchers and industry alike to produce new veterinary vaccines and create efficient development pathways.

The Veterinary Vaccinology Network aims to address the unmet needs in veterinary vaccinology, continuing in the fight against animal diseases and consequently those that have the potential to spread to humans.

The network aims to enhance collaborations between scientific researchers, industry, policy makers and regulators to design, develop and deliver safe and effective next-generation vaccines against new and

(re)-emerging diseases.

The collaborative approach of the network will facilitate sharing of existing knowledge and resources in relation to veterinary vaccinology as well as provide a forum for innovative thinking.

Moredun is represented on the network’s Coordination Group by Professor Gary Entrican. www.vetvaccnet.ac.uk

Edinburgh Napier and Moredun sign MOU Moredun has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Edinburgh Napier University that will see greater collaboration between the institutions’ researchers. The two organisations have already worked together on a number of projects – from examining farmers’ attitudes to emerging livestock diseases such as the Schmallenberg virus to testing vaccines to combat parasites.

New strands of research will also focus on land

enable both organisations to make a real

management issues, specifically with regard to

impact in enabling new technologies and

livestock health and long term food security,

developments to be used effectively where they

and understanding the sociological implications

are most needed.”

of new policy and uptake of new interventions.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Moredun Research Institute Scientific Director & Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to be working more closely with Edinburgh Napier University and can see real benefits from the opportunities provided by interdisciplinary collaboration to

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

1

News Moredun Group wins Best Green Business Award The Moredun Group won the award for Best Green Business for 2014 at The Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business Partnership Exhibition and Awards held at the end of October.

Best Green Business is awarded to a business that has made significant environmental improvements and has committed to improving and demonstrating their green credentials.

Pentlands Science Park Manager, George

New Moredun Sheep Scab Test now available at APHA Scientists at Moredun have developed a novel diagnostic blood test for sheep scab infestation, which is now being used by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

the results of the skin scrapings with this new blood test will provide a more powerful and reliable diagnostic service for sheep scab. The blood test will be offered free of charge for an initial period.

For this enhanced diagnosis, veterinary

Sheep scab, caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis, is

surgeons are asked to submit clotted blood

one of the most important parasitic diseases of

samples (Vacutainer®, red top) along with skin

sheep in the UK and is a notifiable disease in

scraping samples from the same sheep to

Scotland. During the early stages of sheep scab,

APHA’s Centre in Shrewsbury. APHA will then

infestations are not obvious and animals often

report the results of the diagnostic tests to the

appear clinically normal. This sub-clinical stage

veterinary surgeon.

can last for several weeks during which animals

Dr Stewart Burgess who leads the sheep

can act as a source of infection for other sheep.

scab research group at Moredun commented:

For control or eradication programs to be

“The development of a sensitive and specific

successful, it is crucial that all infested animals

blood test provides an important tool to aid

are identified as quickly as possible, including

control strategies for sheep scab and crucially,

sub-clinical cases and this is now possible using

by using this new test it is now possible to

the new Moredun blood test.

detect the infection much earlier, at the sub-

The test detects host antibodies to a specific

clinical stage. We are very pleased to

protein found only in the sheep scab mite,

collaborate with APHA to make the test

Walker commented, "The Moredun Group was

which means that the test can accurately

available to support farmers and vets in the

delighted to win the Best Green Business Award

detect that an infestation is due to the scab

control of the disease.”

ahead of the other excellent nominees. It is

mite and not another ectoparasite. The test

Amanda Carson, Veterinary Lead Small

fantastic that the hard work that has been put

can detect infested animals at an early stage

Ruminant Expert Group at APHA said: “We

in by many people across the Group in

and before the onset of clinical symptoms,

support the efforts of the sheep industry to

developing and implementing our

which will be important in the effective control

control sheep scab through effective diagnosis

Environmental Management System has been

of the parasite.

of the disease. We welcome new diagnostic

recognised in this way”.

By developing a formal Environmental Management System, Moredun has been able

APHA currently offers veterinary surgeons

developments such as the Moredun test which

ectoparasitic examinations of skin scrapings

will provide a vital tool to improve our

taken from sheep. It is hoped that integrating

diagnostic efforts.”

to deliver a wide variety of improvements to its business conduct. This has delivered environmental, financial and corporate responsibility benefits to the organisation, and has enhanced Moredun’s reputation as a world leading organisation with quality at the heart of

Robby Lennox Obituary

its operations.

The award sponsors Anderson Strathearn commented, “It’s important that local environmentally-focused, sustainable businesses are celebrated and recognised for their achievements. A green approach to growth is crucial for the future of the Scottish economy”.

Our congratulations to all those involved at Pentlands Science Park especially our colleagues in the Environmental Policy Advisory Group.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

We are very sad to report the passing in April of Robby Lennox after a short illness.

A farmer from Luss, Robby joined ADRA early in his farming career, and then as a strong supporter of Moredun, he chaired the North of Scotland Regional Board, and contributed to the Moredun Foundation Board for many years, in his own quiet but effective way. He was widely respected in

the wider farming fraternity being a respected valuer and arbiter, a leading light in the ATB for a number of years, for which he was awarded his OBE. He also spent some time on the Agricultural Wages Board and the Home Grown Timber Authority, as well as being a Director of the Caledonian Mart.

His son Bobby became a Moredun Regional Advisor last year continuing the family connection. We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Bobby and the rest of the family.

NEWS

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick announced as Vice Chair of the new Scottish Food Commission We are delighted that Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Moredun’s Scientific Director and Chief Executive, will be the vice-chair of the new Scottish Food Commission following an announcement by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, earlier this year.

The Scottish Food Commission will address the existing, and potential future, challenges facing

Scotland’s food culture. The group will establish a network to champion good food issues locally and will work in close partnership with key stakeholders to advocate the importance of good food to Scotland’s health and wellbeing, environment and quality of life.

The Commission is made up of industry experts from various areas, including environment, food security, retail, food production, education, public health and food safety, and will be led by Shirley Spear.

Shirley, the founder, co-owner and former head chef of Michelin-starred restaurant the

Three Chimneys, on the Isle of Skye, will guide the group in its deliberations and efforts in improving the country’s attitude to eating fresh and healthy produce.

Mr Lochhead said, “I’m delighted to be able to announce Shirley Spear as Chair and Julie Fitzpatrick as Vice-Chair, alongside 14 other extremely knowledgeable and influential industry experts, who will help pave the way to Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation.

By 2025 we want people from every walk of life to take pride and pleasure in the food served day by day in Scotland.”

New diagnostic test launched to combat chlamydial abortion in sheep.

Scientists at Moredun have successfully developed a new diagnostic test for Chlamydia abortus the causative agent of ovine enzootic abortion (OEA).

Moredun, commented: “I am delighted that the

Professor Gordon Harkiss and Dr Neil Watt,

test is now commercially available providing

directors of MV Diagnostics said: “We are very

farmers, vets and diagnostic laboratories with

pleased to have collaborated with Moredun to

access to an improved tool that allows a more

bring the new test to the market supporting

accurate diagnosis of this devastating

the diagnosis and management of OEA in

sheep disease.”

sheep flocks.”

OEA, also known as enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) or ovine chlamydiosis, is a major cause of lamb mortality across the world and accounts for 44% of diagnosed infectious abortions in UK sheep. C. abortus invades the placenta during pregnancy which can lead to abortion or the birth of weak lambs.

The new test will allow for more accurate diagnosis of the disease by offering higher specificity and sensitivity of detection in comparison to other serological tests. It works by detecting the presence of antibodies to C. abortus in blood samples from infected sheep using an indirect ELISA technique.

Launched in April, this new diagnostic is being marketed to veterinary diagnostic laboratories by MV Diagnostics Ltd. The product is manufactured by Enfer Scientific.

Dr David Longbottom, the principal scientist who led the development of the test at

Chlamydial abortion test kit now available

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

3

Research New Aquaculture Research Group The Aquaculture Research Group was created in 2013 as a collaboration between Moredun Research Institute (MRI) and Benchmark Animal Health (BMAH) to produce vaccines for the global aquaculture industry. BMAH is part of the Benchmark Holdings Group, developing solutions for the animal health, food, agriculture, aquaculture and sustainability business sectors. They are an ethical company with an explicit policy based on the “3E’s” definition of sustainability – ethics, environment and economics.

Fish are an important source of protein, contributing around 6% of the protein

Two different aquaculture systems: (a) a pangasius farm in Vietnam (photograph courtesy of Wanna Sirimanapong, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand); (b) Atlantic salmon farm site in Scotland (photograph courtesy of Benchmark Animal Health).

consumed globally, and with the world population expected to increase to 9 billion by

vaccination and immunostimulation.

the end of 2050, aquaculture has the potential

The first commercial vaccines for

to meet increasing demands for protein. The

aquaculture were licensed in the USA in the

aquaculture industry is growing rapidly, and it is

1970’s, while the introduction of vaccines to

estimated to produce around 85 million tonnes

aquaculture in Scotland and Scandinavia,

aquaculture has fallen dramatically.

Early vaccines were based on formalin-killed preparations of bacteria, administered by

of farmed produce by 2030. Atlantic salmon is a

followed later in the mid 1980’s. Vaccination is

immersion. The furunculosis vaccine, offering

major aquaculture species farmed in Europe

now a routine part of disease management in

protection against Aeromonas salmonicida,

(particularly Norway and Scotland), Chile and

many aquaculture systems. Atlantic salmon are

proved less effective than the bacterin vaccines

Northern America. It is the number one food

often vaccinated against three to five diseases

produced for enteric redmouth or vibriosis, and

export for Scotland, with a retail value of over

during their production cycle, often with a

was therefore mixed with an adjuvant and

£1 billion, making it a major player to the

multivalent vaccine, and in 2011 nearly 50

administered by injection to improve its

Scottish economy.

million fish were vaccinated in Scotland alone.

immunogenicity. Since then, fish vaccine

The incidence of disease outbreaks has

development has become more sophisticated

hampered the expansion of the aquaculture

with an increasing trend for the development of

industry. As well as reducing the supply of

sub-unit recombinant vaccines. This has been

marketable produce, it can result in substantial

necessary for some diseases, because the

economic losses to the farmer. Pathogens and

simpler bacterin approach has been

parasites are estimated to be responsible for 5-

unsuccessful, and until recently attenuated

7% annual losses in finfish aquaculture,

vaccines were generally not encouraged from a

representing somewhere in the region of £4-5

safety point of view. Technologies such as

billion in lost revenue, globally. Although

recombinant and DNA vaccines, reverse

antibiotics and chemotherapeutants are used to

vaccinology, RNA silencing, proteomics and

control disease outbreaks, there is concern

epitope mapping are powerful tools for future

about their use because of drug residues in

vaccine development as these enable the

food, the development of antimicrobial drug

identification and isolation of potential

resistance, and their detrimental effect on

protective antigens.

The Aquaculture Research Group is focusing

water microbial ecosystems and populations.

on the development of new generation vaccines

Attention is now being given to disease prevention as a means of controlling disease

for BMAH, through the support of MRI and

outbreaks based on improved fish husbandry

where possible using MRI technology in their

and biological control methods such as

4

The strategy of vaccination has been so successful that the use of antibiotics in

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

Atlantic salmon being injection vaccinated in Chile

vaccine development.

Pentlands Science Park/Moredun Scientific

PSP getting back to full occupancy One of the challenges for Pentlands Science Park, and indeed all science parks with wet labs, is the cost of re-fitting laboratories when a change of tenancy occurs. Laboratories are often bespoke designed for the occupier and you are fortunate indeed if the incoming tenant does not require any modifications.

This has been true of PSP’s Doherty Innovation Centre, the largest multi-occupancy buildings ` on site.

The building was, originally, funded by Scottish Enterprise when built in 1996 and was acquired by The Moredun Foundation four years later. The ground floor area on one half of the building, extending to some 7,000 sq ft was bespoke designed and fitted out for Viragen who occupied the premises from 1996 until 2007. In the intervening period, Alba Bioscience occupied a large part of the space before moving into Douglas House, Genecom occupied the offices for a while and Edinburgh Laser Optics occupy a small lab. It has been a challenge to find a major occupier given the difficulties of the current fit-out and layout.

However, we are now in discussions with Pentlands Science Park

one of our existing tenants to consolidate into this area from the four areas it currently occupies. This will be of significant advantage to

space which has been vacant for too long and

the company in being together in one space. To

the four smaller units freed up will be easier to

The end aim is to assist our tenants and increase overall occupancy of the Park which

achieve this, a substantial fit-out and change of

let. Indeed, we are already in discussions with

will generate improved revenues to the

layout is underway costing in the region of

a potential tenant to take on some of the

Foundation. Win, win all round.

ÂŁ100,000 but this will secure occupation of a

new space.

Biosafety Testing Over the last few years Moredun Scientific has developed a business unit focussed on contract biosafety testing for the biopharmaceutical industry. This involves testing a range of biological materials including cell lines used in the manufacturing of biological medicinal products. In addition to vaccines we are now also testing advanced therapy medicinal products such as gene and stem cell based treatments.

The testing is essential to ensure that the

This is a rapidly growing area for us as an

biopharmaceuticals are free from any

increasing number of biopharmaceuticals are

contaminating materials and infectious agents

launched onto the market with the

(e.g. bacteria or viruses) that may be carried

manufacturers outsourcing this specialised

over from the cells used to produce them or

testing to companies such as ourselves. There is

during the manufacturing process. The tests are

also a growing demand for testing of vaccine

carried out under tightly controlled conditions

products. We work with clients across the globe

regulated in the UK by the Medicines and

including companies based in the Far East.

Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

To learn more please contact us:

The business requires our long established

info@moredun-scientific.com or visit our

skills in microbiology, animal studies and

website: www.moredun.org.uk/moredun-

regulatory studies and tests.

scientific-homepage/biosafety-testing

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

5

Research Moredun launches Barbervax® a vaccine for Barber’s Pole Worm

Dr David Smith (MRI) producing Barbervax®

Scientists at Moredun, led by Dr David Smith, have successfully developed the first vaccine for the Barber's Pole Worm (Haemonchus contortus), the most important roundworm parasite of sheep and goats in the world.

Barber’s Pole Worm is a voracious blood sucker causing anaemia which can readily become fatal. Fortunately for UK farmers it prefers warmer conditions and so is only a sporadic problem, but in parts of Australia, South Africa and South America it presents a real difficulty for commercial sheep farmers, compounded by the fact that worms resistant

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

to anthelmintic drugs are common

that the parasites drink antibodies with their

and widespread.

blood meal. These antibodies attach to the

Barbervax®, the first vaccine in the world

lining of the worm intestine, blocking

for a worm parasite of sheep and a

digestion and starving the worm so that it

revolutionary new tool for farmers to combat

produces far fewer eggs and dies.

The basis for Barbervax® was devised

Barber’s Pole was registered for use in Australia in October 2014. The first batch of

after many years of research at Moredun and

vaccine, consisting of 300,000 doses, sold out

commercialised during the last five years

within 10 days just by word of mouth.

through a collaboration with the Albany

The vaccine contains tiny amounts of protein purified from the lining of worm intestines. Like all vaccines,

Barbervax®

works

laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, where it is made by Wormvax Australia, a subsidiary

by stimulating the natural immune response in

of Moredun.

the animal after injection. The antibodies

Please visit www.barbervax.com.au

produced circulate in the sheep’s blood, so

for further information.

RESEARCH

Sections of Barber’s Pole worm obtained from a sheep vaccinated with Barbervax®. Antibodies stained yellowish green have attached to the lining of the worm intestines

Haemonchus contortus (Barber’s Pole Worm)

Producing the vaccine in Australia

Cattle Tracing System (CTS) Links – your opinions matter In response to a recommendation in the 'Doing Better Initiative to Reduce Red Tape in Agriculture' report, by Brian Pack the livestock sector is working with the Scottish Government to review current practice regarding CTS linked holdings.

As part of an ongoing consultation with the

elicit farmer opinion and better understand

or not they have experience with CTS links.

current use of CTS links. The survey has been

All responses will be anonymous and the data

designed by EPIC, in partnership with NFUS.

you give will be of immense value to NFUS

EPIC (www.epicscotland.org) is a Scottish Government-funded initiative that brings together expertise on animal diseases from Scottish Universities (Edinburgh and

and the Scottish Government. Please follow the link below to add your opinions and experience to the consultation.

Glasgow) and Institutes (Moredun Research,

https://eh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/cts-links-2

SRUC and the James Hutton).

If you would like any further information

The survey should take a maximum of 10

on the survey, please contact

industry, farmers are being encouraged to

minutes to complete and all Scottish cattle

Dr Emily Hotchkiss on

respond to an online survey which aims to

farmers are encouraged to respond, whether

Emily.Hotchkiss@moredun.ac.uk.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

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Out and About Forthcoming Shows & Events 2015 Tuesday 19th May NSA Welsh Sheep, Newtown Thursday 21st May Beef Expo, York Wednesday 27th May Scottish Beef Event, Blairgowrie Wednesday 3rd June NSA North Sheep, Cockermouth Tuesday 9th June NSA Highland Sheep, Fearn Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st June Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh

AHDA Conference

Edinburgh International Science Festival 2015

In January, as part of our partnership with

Moredun were delighted to take part in the

AHDA, we were pleased to attend their 30th

Edinburgh International Science Festival in April.

what was wrong with his flock by collecting and

Annual Conference in Birmingham. This two

‘Disease Explorers’ at the Royal Botanic Garden

testing samples in the lab. It proved to be a

day event saw over 300 SQPs and

Edinburgh was an interactive exhibition for

highly popular event with children and adults

pharmaceutical representatives participate in

children with hands on activities about

alike and received some excellent feedback.

a programme of presentations including an

detecting and diagnosing disease. The children

helped our very own Farmer Fred to diagnose

update of Moredun’s parasitological research Photo | RBGE photo

from Professor Jacqui Matthews.

Student Visit In April, Moredun were delighted to welcome Agriculture students from Bishop Burton College, East Yorkshire.

The students enjoyed a tour of Moredun’s facilities and a practical lab session on intestinal parasites. All the staff involved welcomed the opportunity to engage with the industry’s next generation.

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

Young participants at Moredun’s event at the EISF

OUT AND ABOUT

Help wanted with Equine Questionnaire The Horse Trust have recently funded a research project which focuses on anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance and the distribution of worms in horses across the UK. This project, being carried out by Moredun in partnership with Liverpool and Bristol Universities and Bell Equine Clinic, aims to identify if any longterm issues arise from using targeted worming versus traditional interval deworming treatments.

Do you have a spare 15 minutes to help with a survey? The project requires horse owners and those that manage horses to complete a questionnaire that will help us explore the use of dewormers in horses and their potential impact on the worms that are present.

Many thanks in advance https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/horseworms

Go Jo! Jo Watts of the Moredun Comms Team is taking part in 12 challenges in 12 months to raise both awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and as much money as possible for the MND Association.

Jo says that when a family member was recently diagnosed with the disease, she needed to do something to help.

Despite a severely twisted ankle in February, Jo has battled on and has already raised more than ÂŁ4,000.

If you would like to support this wonderful

Here is a list of the 12 challenges:

10th January: Great Winter Run, Edinburgh 15th February: Half Marathon, Barcelona 29th March: Kilomathon, Edinburgh 26th April: London Marathon 23rd to 24th May: London2Brighton 100 km Challenge 14th June: 2 Mile Great Swim, Lake Windermere 18th to 19th July: Three Peaks Challenge 8th August: London Triathlon 19th to 20th September: Equinox 24 – 24 hour Relay, Leicestershire 18th October: Survival of the Fittest, Edinburgh

fund raising effort, please go to :

November: 10 km, Leeds

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team-watts

December: Santa Run, Edinburgh

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

9

Research Moredun scientists awarded five new grants to help improve the health and welfare of livestock and horses

Moredun scientists have recently won five new externally funded projects to help improve the health and welfare of livestock and horses.

These have been funded from the European Union Horizon 2020 programme, the BBSRC’s Animal Health Research Club in collaboration with the Scottish Government and The Horse Trust.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of Moredun Research Institute said, “We are delighted to have won these competitive

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

grants to help support our work to prevent and control endemic diseases and we are particularly pleased that the projects are involving so many scientific and industry partners both in the UK and across the world.”

Three of the grants were awarded through the BBSRC’s Animal Health Research Club (ARC) initiative which aims to understand and combat endemic disease in farmed cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and fish. The ARC initiative is a consortium between the BBSRC, the Scottish Government and leading companies from the animal health, breeding and farming sectors to encourage research approaches that

are relevant to industry needs. The three Moredun projects are focusing on: resistance to cryptosporidiosis in cattle where the team are looking at the immune responses to this important protozoan parasite and developing some innovative in-vitro systems to enable detailed studies on host-pathogen interactions; diversity in immune responses to a recombinant worm vaccine in sheep where scientists will investigate individual variation in immune responsiveness and the effect on vaccine efficacy; and improving our understanding of inflammatory responses in sheep footrot involving a study of how the

Photo | Comstock

RESEARCH

Cryptosporidiosis oocysts (small spheres) on the surface of cattle gut villi

bacteria causing footrot are recognised by the immune system of the sheep to enable a better understanding of disease pathogenesis.

The three projects are being conducted in collaboration with the Roslin Institute, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, the University of Glasgow and the University of Nottingham. These endemic diseases are of significant economic and welfare concern to the livestock industry.

The European Union project involves 17 scientific and industrial partners from around the world working to develop novel vaccines to help prevent and control helminth and ectoparasite infections of ruminant and poultry production systems. The 9 million euro PARAGONE project aims to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of disease control through vaccination and thus reduce reliance on anti-parasitic drugs, where there are increasing reports of drug resistance and reduced efficacy.

The Horse Trust have recently funded a project to enable Moredun scientists to conduct a study to look at the efficacy of using a targeted worming strategy versus a traditional interval worming treatment in horses. The project will focus on the distribution of worms in horses across the UK and the extent of resistance to common treatments.

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

11

Focus On...

A valuable asset : Our Regional Advisors

Roddy Dunse, Veterinary Surgeon, South of Scotland Regional Board

Regional Advisors Workshop at Moredun

The Moredun Foundation has five regional boards covering: South of England, North of England, Wales, South of Scotland and North of Scotland. On each regional board, farmers, veterinarians, SQPs, industry representatives, young farmers and students collectively represent a wide cross section of stakeholders within the livestock industry. The chairs of each regional board sit on the main Moredun Foundation Board.

In December last year, we held our first Regional Advisors Workshop here at Moredun and looked at how we might improve our collaborative working and tried out some new engagement and outreach activities. The workshop was a great success: scientists heard more about the work of the regional advisors and the advisors gained a much better understanding of life at the coal face for the scientists and of some of the challenges and opportunities facing Moredun.

One of Moredun’s greatest assets is, without doubt, it’s secret army of regional advisors, who are our ambassadors out in the field and help Moredun retain its roots and strength within the livestock industry.

“

Moredun can take great pride from the healthy relationship it has across the spectrum of the livestock industry ….. Much of that success, I would say is down to the 2 way street of knowledge passed both ways between Moredun and its stakeholders.

Scott Brown, farmer and SQP, South of Scotland Regional Board.

Moredun’s relationship with its core membership is unique because it was founded by farmers for farmers ….

The fact that it is farmer owned as well makes the relationship with the farming industry so special.

Sandy Tulloch, farmer, North of Scotland Regional Board.

The independent scientific information from the Moredun is the most up to date and unbiased a livestock producer can have access to in order to make business decisions in the short or long term.

Frank Langrish, farmer, South of England Regional Board.

Moredun’s relationship with its stakeholder community enables end users and prescribers to have a unique insight to what happens during the development of new products in the UK. This flow of information will help those of us in UK agriculture keep ahead of the game in an increasingly global market.

Sally Harmer, SQP, Wales Regional Board

”

Regional Advisors Workshop in the labs at Moredun

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Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

NEWS

Crown Estate Partnership We are delighted to welcome the Crown Estate as associate members of Moredun. The Crown Estate is leading the way as the first land owning estate to join us and we hope many more estates and landowners will follow suit.

acres) and includes agriculture, forestry,

The Crown Estate associate membership

minerals, tourism, residential and commercial

will allow over 350 of their UK livestock

properties. The agricultural interests include

farming tenants to benefit from livestock

both livestock and arable farming, including

health advice via Moredun's extensive KTE

traditional hill farming in Scotland and Wales

network and research expertise. We hope

to large-scale commercial operations in the

many of the Crown Estate tenants will make

eastern counties of England. All the

use of this facility to assist increasing

agricultural interests are leased under a variety

productivity and efficiency on their livestock

The Crown Estate is a diverse portfolio of UK

of tenure arrangements many of which involve

enterprises.

buildings, shoreline, seabed, forestry,

some form of livestock enterprise. As a

Building on existing research links and a

agriculture and common land that generates

landlord, The Crown Estate supports its

very well attended farmers meeting held in

revenue for the government. As an

tenants’ businesses wherever possible through

Craigellachie last November, Moredun and the

independent commercial business, created by

investment, advice and business support,

Crown Estate are planning more farmer

an Act of Parliament, The Crown Estate’s rural

helping to enhance farming enterprises to

focused events in other areas of the UK later

portfolio includes 139,000 hectares (343,000

improve business profitability and efficiency.

this year.

Moredun Foundation Scholarship Applications are open for the 2015 Moredun Foundation Scholarship.

their knowledge of livestock health. Recipients of these awards to date have carried out some fantastic diverse projects which have

The scholarship scheme offers a fantastic

broadened the horizons of the individual

opportunity for individuals to pursue a short

involved, while adding useful knowledge to the

term project to broaden their education and

promotion of livestock health and welfare”.

experience in areas relating to livestock health and welfare and the agricultural industry.

Scholarship awards of up to £1,000 each will be made in 2015. Projects are open to Moredun members over the age of 18 living in the UK and may involve work experience,

The closing date for applications for a 2015 Moredun Foundation Scholarship is Tuesday 30

Ian Duncan Millar, Chairman of the Moredun Foundation, is delighted by the quality of the scholarship projects that the

As a registered charity The Moredun Foundation is indebted to its members and supporters for donations to help ensure that vital areas of our work can continue.

Special thanks must go to the following organisations, all of whom have made donations to Moredun Foundation in the last twelve months.

Their support is greatly appreciated.

June 2015. Successful applicants will be notified in writing by Monday 31 August 2015 and projects need to be completed by 31 August 2016.

travel, or collaborations with science or the arts.

Thank You

Bampton Society Border Union Agricultural Society Buckland Charitable Trust

Further information and an application form

Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales)

are available to download from the Moredun

Norbrook

website www.moredun.org.uk/scholarship

Perth Ram Society Quality Meat Scotland

Moredun Foundation has supported so far.

Application forms and guidelines can also be

He commented, “These scholarships are a

emailed to prospective applicants on request.

Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society

great way for those in the livestock industry to

Email scholarship@moredun.org.uk for further

Zoetis

pursue a short term project or further develop

information.

RHASS

Moredun Magazine | Spring/Summer 2015

13

www.moredun.org.uk