Mfm%20autumn%202008

Issue 29 Autumn 2008

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‘Moredun research is needed now more than ever’ That was the message given

by The Moredun Foundation’s Honorary President, John Cameron, at it’s 2008 Open Day held at the beginning of August. In a packed atrium in front of over 200 guests Mr Cameron highlighted the contribution the Moredun Group had made to animal health and welfare as well as Scotland’s economy.

Moredun leads the world in research into the infectious diseases of livestock.

Originally formed over 80 years ago by farmers, Moredun has developed a variety of vaccines, diagnostic tests and treatment strategies for farm animals, saving countless millions of animal’s lives.

John Cameron, once the largest sheep farmer in the European Union with about 10,000 ewes praised Moredun for its work and admitted that it has been one of his champions for many years.

He remarked that Moredun’s mission

Get Set for Christmas!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early -please see the enclosed merchandise leaflets for further details on all Moredun’s gifts on offer this year. Remember - these items and more can be bought throughout the year from Moredun’s website www.moredun.org.uk/shop.

statement in 1920 – ‘to prevent and control infectious diseases of livestock’– is equally valid, if not more so today.

“No wonder Moredun has such enthusiastic support from farmers when present research topics include worm control – still one of the biggest costs to livestock producers now complicated with resistance to particular anthelmintics, Johne’s disease, widely regarded as the biggest veterinary problem in the cattle industry, and the farmer’s other two scourges - abortion and pneumonia.”

The Open Day marked the ten year anniversary of the relocation of Moredun Research Institute from Edinburgh to it’s own Pentlands Science Park in Midlothian. The event attracted over 200 guests from across the UK, who had the opportunity to visit the laboratories and farm accommodation, listen to a range of animal health talks and take part in numerous practical demonstrations.

For more information about the Open Day see pages 4-5 inside.

Guests at the Open Day had an opportunity to get ‘hands on’ in the labs.

In this Issue New Grants ……………… 2 Bluetongue Update …… 3 Open Day Report ............ 4-5 Ticking Timebomb …….. 5 Animal Health Roadshow Dates ……….. 7

A Note from the Deputy Director Moredun opened its doors this summer. Last August we found ourselves caught up in the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and an immediate casualty was our Open Day. One year on and I am happy to report that the Open Day held on the 8th August 2008 was, by all accounts, the best we have ever had.

With over 200 guests we were fully occupied for the whole day and a measure of the interest shown by visitors was the virtual emptiness of the main meeting place in the atrium. Everyone always had somewhere else to be.

If you did miss it there is an opportunity to catch up on some of the exhibits and presentations inside this issue.

We also hosted the 20th Anniversary conference of Moredun Scientific Ltd. MSL has led the commercial developments within Moredun during this period.

It continues to provide a professional route to exploitation for intellectual property and know how developed in the Research Institute along with excellent contract research services to the Animal Health Industries.

Let’s hope we have another 20 years of success.

There are lots of good things in this issue including a very topical and informative article on Bluetongue disease which is essential reading for all members. Don’t forget to visit the website for more up to date information on all aspects of Moredun activities. Finally, we need and appreciate your support so please check the Roadshow venues and dates, and have a look at our on line shop.

Moredun Scientists at Forefront of work to Combat Climate Change Leading scientists from around the world agree that our climate is changing and these changes may have profound implications.

Warmer summer temperatures and wetter, milder winters will produce conditions in which new pests and diseases are more likely to thrive, threatening both plants and animals.

Scientists at Moredun are already recording increased cases of louping ill disease in sheep which is spread by ticks. Other threats to livestock include liver fluke and parasite infections. Two human infections – Lyme’s disease and West Nile virus – may also become a greater risk due to climate change.

Moredun’s research is taking a number of different approaches to these problems. It includes looking at land management strategies that can reduce the breeding grounds for ticks; selective breeding of animals to make them more resistant; targeted treatment

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strategies and –in the longer termvaccines to prevent infection.

The aim of all of this is to ensure the sustainability of UK farming in the face of the threats posed by climate change.

At a special briefing in April, Moredun scientists met with Scottish Ministers to update them in the work that Moredun is doing to monitor climate change, mitigate its impacts and help to inform adaptation and responses to its impacts.

Minister for Environment Michael Russell said: “It is encouraging to know that Scottish scientists are playing a leading role in responding to the threat of climate change – one of the most serious issues facing the future of our planet. I would like to praise them for the highcalibre research they provide for Scotland and the rest of the world.”

Professor Willie Donachie Deputy Director of Moredun

Moredun nets over £4 million to help commercialise its research Moredun Research Institute has been successful in securing £4.17 million to help them and their partner organizations turn innovative research ideas into commercial success. £1.17 million has been awarded to Genecom Ltd, a company based at Moredun. Genecom’s role is to help facilitate the commercialization of science from Moredun as well as the Institute for Animal Health at Compton and the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee.

The other successful bid was from The Genomia Fund which is a consortium led by Moredun and involves nine other research institutes throughout the UK. Genomia was awarded £3 million to expand its existing work to make available pump-priming funds to enable the successful commercialization process.

Both grants were awarded by the Government’s Public Sector Research Exploitation (PSRE) initiative. In addition to this the Genomia fund has recently received additional funding of £812,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

Bluetongue Virus: research update r Lee Innes spoke with Dr Chris Oura, Head of the EU Bluetongue reference laboratory, Institute of Animal Health, Pirbright at the NSA Sheep 2008 event held at Malvern on 30th July to discuss some of the recent developments on the Bluetongue Virus.

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LI: Why has the Bluetongue virus spread into Northern Europe?

LI: Is temperature a critical factor in the replication of the virus?

CO: Yes, the ability of the virus to be transmitted through the midge is temperature dependant. Below 12 degrees centigrade the virus will not replicate in the midge, however when temperatures reach 20-28 degrees the virus will replicate and be transmitted very efficiently by the midges. This is

why you see a steady build up of the disease over the summer months.

LI: How does Bluetongue virus survive over the winter months?

CO: This is an area of active research at the moment and there are several theories as to how this may occur.

If an animal is infected at the end of the midge season it can have virus circulating in the blood for up to 60 days, if a midge then bites this animal the virus may remain in a latent form in the midge until the temperature increases and the virus is able to replicate in the midge. This may enable the virus to survive over the winter months from one vector season to the next.

Another possibility is that the virus survives within the animal host.

Some of our recent research has suggested that there may be sites of viral persistence within the skin of the animal at the bite site. In these animals virus has been found in the skin but not circulating in the blood.

LI: There have been some reports of transplacental transmission of BTV8?

CO: Yes, BTV8 is unusual in that there have been recent reports of transplacental transmission of this serotype in animals.

Cattle that have been infected with BTV8 some time ago and have no evidence of virus in their blood have given birth to infected viremic calves.

Therefore dams infected with the virus during pregnancy must now be considered a high risk and it may also be a mechanism by which the virus can

Apology The Moredun Foundation would like to apologise to its members for not being able to produce a technical animal health newssheet in May this year.

This was due to reasons out with our control. It is hoped that an additional newssheet will be produced and mailed by the end of the year to make amends!

survive over winter within the animal host. Previously, transplacental transmission had only been recorded in animals infected with the attenuated vaccine strains and BTV8 is the first wild type strain to show this biological characteristic. We are currently investigating whether there is any genetic similarity between the BTV8 serotype and some of the attenuated strains widely used in live vaccination programmes in Africa, as this serotype may have arisen from wildtype viruses recombining with attenuated vaccine strains.

LI: What are your current recommendations to help control this disease?

CO: Vaccination is the only method of control and our strategy has been to try and get as close to 100% vaccine coverage as possible is susceptible ruminants. We will know in a few weeks time how successful this strategy has been in controling the disease in the UK. This is an extremely serious disease as evidenced by the massive economic losses in Belgium, Holland, Germany and France in 2007and vaccination is our only weapon against the virus.

The message is loud and clear: don’t hesitate -vaccinate.

Chris Oura graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1989.

He began his research career at Moredun working on immunity to Protozoan parasites, then completed a PhD at IAH, Pirbright and worked in Glasgow and Uganda before returning to IAH Pirbright in 2004. He is currently head of the EU reference laboratory for blue tongue.

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CO: There has been a steady movement of many of the 24 serotypes of bluetongue virus into Europe from Africa over the past 10 years, this is probably due in part to climate change which has resulted in the northerly migration of the African midge species which is very efficient in transmitting bluetongue virus. Because of climate change these African midges have become able to establish themselves in more northern countries where they were not previously found. In the process of moving north these African midge species overlapped with Northern European midge species spreading the virus in a northerly direction. By analogy this is like passing a baton in a relay race between African midges and northern European midges with the baton being the Bluetongue virus.

Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges.

Moredun’s Open Day - Finding Solutions to Disease Problems en years ago, Moredun Research Institute moved from its original home of Gilmerton Road in Edinburgh to the custom build Pentlands Science Park in Midlothian. In celebration of

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this anniversary, Moredun opened its doors in August and welcomed over 200 guests to an Open Day to showcase its science and its application.

Guests were literally spoilt for choice with over a dozen talks and seminars to choose from, as well as tours of the animal accommodation and several laboratories to look round. There were plenty of practical demonstrations for guests to take part in and staff were on hand all day to chat about their work and the impact Moredun is making on animal health and welfare throughout the world.

Some of the events are described below – please contact the scientists direct if you would like any further information.

Under siege!

Professor David GE Smith From lurid news headlines to gaudy advertisements you could get the impression that we are constantly besieged by hazardous bugs; in the home; on the bus; at work; in your sandwich –just waiting for their chance to ambush you. You can’t escape them – they’re lurking everywhere! The fact of the matter is: they are everywhere and we can’t escape. There are millions and millions of them but, in reality, the harmless bugs far outnumber the harmful disease causing (Pathogenic) ones.

John Cameron stressed the importance of Moredun’s work.

Testing a Moredun Worm vaccine ‘down under’ Dr David Smith

In search of Breathing space – studies on Jaagsiekte (OPA) Dr Chris Cousens Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA or Jaagsiekte) is a major problem in many sheep flocks. The disease is caused by a virus which induces tumours in the lungs of sheep.

The disease is always fatal and therefore has significant economic and animal welfare implications.

This talk explained how this clever virus can evade many aspects of the sheep’s immune system and how Moredun scientists are gradually revealing more information about the virus and the disease it causes. This talk also gave guests an update on how Moredun researchers are developing noval ways to detect the virus in live sheep in the hope of controlling this disease.

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Haemonchus (the barber’s pole worm) is the most important parasite of sheep world-wide.

Fortunately for British farmers, this worm prefers a sub tropical climate and so outbreaks of Haemonchosis are only sporadic in the UK. Work at Moredun has identified a promising candidate vaccine for this parasite. However, the trials to test this here have been artificial, being conducted indoors with sheep which have been raised worm-free.

A more practical trial was conducted recently in New South Wales with grazing Merino lambs.

This short talk gave the results of this trial, which suggest that the prospects for this vaccines are real, an opinion recently endorsed by a pharmaceutical company which has invested in this and a similar Moredun project to find a vaccine for Ostertagia in calves.

Three of the main pathogens that have an impact upon both humans and animals are Campylobacter, Salmonella and Escherichia coli and this talk gave information on the work scientists at Moredun are doing studying these bugs in the hope that effective control mechanisms can be developed against them.

Mitey Proteins – vaccine Candidates for Sheep scab and Poultry red mite

The Disease Detectives

Dr John Huntley

Epidemiologists at Moredun act as disease detectives; they want to know why, when and how.

Infectious diseases seem to be in the news every day, with breaking stories about SARS, “mad cow” disease and bird flu.

As new diseases emerge, and antibiotic-resistant strains spread, the disease detectives are busier than ever. This interactive demonstration and workshop gave information about what epidemiologists at Moredun do and how they do it.

Both the sheep scab mite and the poultry red mite cause huge welfare problems in the animals they affect. Both are also becoming resistant to the chemicals used for their control. Moredun scientists are therefore working with both these mites with a view to developing effective vaccines against them.

The mites differ in the fact that the sheep scab mite lives its entire life on the sheep causing the scab lesions, whereas the poultry red mite resides in the nooks and crannies of the poultry house furniture and only feeds on the chickens at night. However, both mite species cause intense itching and share similarities with the house dust mite, in that they produce highly potent allergens which can cause these reactions.

This presentation gave a report on Moredun’s progress towards developing the first vaccine against these ectoparasites.

Professor Ruth Zadoks

Moredun Proteomics Facility Dr Neil Inglis After the opportunity to hear more about what a “genome” is and how different “genes” encode individual “proteins”, in a short presentation, guests could then find out about the “proteome” and see firsthand how viral, bacterial and parasite protein molecules can be separated, visualised and ultimately dismantled to provide a unique fingerprint of molecular identity - a process essential to pinpointing the proteins important in the disease process and those that can be used to formulate vaccines to protect animals against future infection.

Ticking Timebomb - Moredun’s new educational exhibit! oredun developed another very successful educational exhibition this year which showcased at Edinburgh’s International Science Festival.

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‘Ticking Timebomb’ was a fun interactive exhibit aimed at school children that raised awareness about ticks, what they are, where they are found and how humans can protect themselves from being bitten. The information was presented through a series of colourful posters, moving images and real props, as well as a very popular hat making activity.

The ‘Ticking Timebomb’ exhibit was also taken to the Royal Highland Show, where hundreds of children and the general public visited Moredun’s marquee to look at real ticks, learn more about their life cycle, the diseases they can spread and how to remove ticks safely from themselves and their pets.

‘Ticking Timebomb’ also addressed the topic of climate change and how this could affect the UK tick population in the coming years, as well as what Scottish Research Institutes are doing to assess this impact.

‘Ticking Timebomb’ has received some fantastic feedback from the public and Moredun intends to develop more educational exhibitions in the future.

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Sheep Vet Society Extends a Hand to Moredun Members Many of you will no doubt already be aware that the Moredun Foundation has been fortunate over the years to have enjoyed very close and mutually beneficial association with the Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS).

To mark this ongoing relationship, the SVS has launched a special offer for current Moredun Foundation members, to allow the strong links to continue with mutual benefit.

Join now and pay no subscription until January 2009!

The Sheep Veterinary Society, a specialist division of the BVA, is dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of sheep, and acting as a voice for the sheep industry on a whole host of issues.

Director of Moredun Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, encourages all Moredun members to consider joining the Sheep Vet Society. She commented, “It is clear in my mind that both organisations play key complementary roles for ensuring continued promotion of sheep health and welfare and I feel that membership of both organisations should be

considered as essential for those with interests in this area.”

More details, as well as application forms can be found on the website, www.sheepvetsoc.org.uk, or by contacting Ashley Baird on secretariat@sheepvetsoc.org.uk.

Please state that you are a Moredun member to receive your special offer on joining.

Celebrating 20 years of Contract Research Moredun Scientific Ltd, the commercial arm of the Moredun Group, celebrated its 20 year anniversary in June this year by hosting a conference at Pentlands Science Park with the title “Trends in Animal Health”.

highlighting the challenges in disease control faced by livestock producers today. He emphasised Tuberculosis, BlueTongue and Sheep Scab as being of particular concern for Scottish livestock farmers.

The programme covered various aspects of diseases of livestock, the animal health industry and updates on regulations governing the development of veterinary health products.

More than 70 guests from the global animal health industry and the related research base attended the event.

The day included a series of presentations from experts in the animal health industry followed by sessions from Moredun Research Institute scientists who showcased their work towards the understanding, diagnosis and prevention of disease.

Professor Charles Milne, Chief Veterinary Officer of Scotland opened the conference with a presentation

Juan Escala, Managing Director of Moredun Scientific Ltd commented: “We were delighted to welcome many of our clients and stakeholders to the

The chairman of Moredun Scientific, Dr Paul Bramley cuts the Moredun Scientific 20 year anniversary cake.

event which marked our 20 year anniversary. Animal health companies have an ongoing commitment to the development of medicines for food producing animals and the conference program provided a comprehensive update of disease status, controls and developments.”

Get Active and help VETAID Africans who depend on animals for their survival. You can see for yourself the impact the money you raise is having on the communities that VETAID supports.

VETAID, one of the charities in the Moredun group, has many exciting events and challenges you can get involved in during 2009 to help support its work in Africa.

The charity has several places for fundraisers to participate in both the Flora London Marathon (26 April 2009) and the Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon & Chevrolet Hairy Haggis Relay (31 May 2009).

Participants in the 2007 Ben Nevis Challenge.

Other events they offer include the Hebridean Odyssey Cycle Challenge (28 May —2 June 2009). The 174 mile challenge takes 6 days and passes through Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay and on to Barra.

For the 4th year VETAID will also offer the Kilimanjaro Challenge (5-14 July 2009). Starting with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and followed by the unique opportunity to see firsthand one of VETAID’s projects. This gives participants a unique insight into the daily life of

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Closer to home you can climb Ben Nevis (September 2009, other dates TBC) at 1343 metres is Britain’s highest peak and a challenging climb! And for the adrenaline junkies out there, VETAID is also offering Shark Dive Challenges at Deep Sea World in Edinburgh and Zipslide on the River Clyde Challenges throughout 2009.

If you are interested in taking part in any of the above and raising money for VETAID please see www.vetaid.org for more information or contact Leonie on 0131 445 6241.

New Virology Division Leader

Moredun plans largest ever Roadshow!

Moredun is pleased to announce the details of its 2008 animal health Roadshow. There are thirteen meetings in all and entrance will be free of charge as always. All meetings will begin at 7.30pm.

For further information about any of these events log onto the forthcoming events pages of the Moredun website www.moredun.org.uk/events.asp Monday 3 November Ticks and the Diseases they Cause Selkirk Rugby Club Speaker – Dr Hugh Reid

Congratulations to Dr Colin McInnes who took up position of Head of the Control of Viral Diseases earlier this year. Colin joined Moredun in 1988 and has specific expertise in parapoxvirus infections of ruminants and wildlife.

New Professor for Moredun

Tuesday 18 November Hydatid Disease Eagles Hotel, Llanrwst Speaker – Professor Michael Clarkson

Thursday 6 November Worm Control Bowmore Hotel, Islay Speaker – Dr Frank Jackson

Wednesday 19 November Hydatid Disease Castle Hotel, Llandovery Speaker – Professor Michael Clarkson

Monday 10 November Ticks and the Diseases they Cause Thainstone Centre, Inverurie Speaker - Dr Hugh Reid

Thursday 20 November Diseases of Newborn Lambs Plumpton College, near Lewes Speaker – Chris Lewis MRCVS

Tuesday 11 November Johne’s Disease and Neospora Abortion in Cattle Memorial Hall, Holsworthy Speakers – Dr Karen Stevenson & Dr Lee Innes

Tuesday 25 November Cattle Lameness Douglas Arms, Castle Douglas Speaker – Professor David Logue

Wednesday 12 November Sheep Abortion Auction Centre, Shrewsbury Speaker – Dr David Buxton

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Professor Julie Fitzpatrick commented “Colin will be a great asset to the division and will help ensure that it continues its excellent research in the important endemic diseases, as well as the new and emerging viral diseases, affecting livestock in the UK.

Tuesday 4 November Liver Fluke and Worm Control in Sheep Moness Hotel, Aberfeldy Speaker - Frank Jackson

Thursday 13 November Sheep Abortion Kilworth Springs Golf Club, near Lutterworth Speaker – Dr David Buxton

Wednesday 26 November Management of the Pregnant Ewe Newton Rigg College, Penrith Speaker – Neil Sargison MRCVS Thursday 27 November Neospora Abortion in Cattle Railway Hotel, Buxton Speaker – Dr Frank Katzer

Moredun Student excels in National Competition A very warm welcome to Professor Ruth Zadoks, who joined Moredun earlier this year as Head of Epidemiology and Population Biology Division. Ruth and her team will try and increase the understanding of the diversity between animal and pathogen populations and its impact on health, disease and disease control.

Ruth commented “I’m very happy to be part of an Institute like Moredun that puts top quality scientific effort into the study of everyday diseases of farm animals – research that will ultimately help to feed our nation.”

Henny Martineau, a PhD student from Moredun came second in a National PhD competition held in May this year. Henny, whose PhD is looking at OPA, a contagious lung cancer in sheep, gave a talk highlighting her work identifying which cells in the lung are thought to be infected by the OPA virus before tumours start to develop. It is hoped that this research will help scientists learn more about early tumour development in both sheep and human lung cancer.

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Moredun Foundation Newsheets - VOLUME 4 No. 1. Campylobacter and Salmonella Abortion in Sheep No.2. Effective Fostering and Artificial Rearing of Lambs No.3. Louping Ill in Sheep No.4. Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma No.5. Lungworm Disease in Cattle

No.6.

No.7.

No.8.

No.9.

No.10.

No.11.

No.12.

No.13.

No.14.

Mastitis in Ewes Lameness in Sheep Border Disease Enzootic Abortion in Ewes Toxoplasmosis in Sheep Pneumonia in Sheep Buyer Beware Johne’s Disease Controlling Ectoparasites: Making the Best Use of Remaining Treatments

No.15. Knowledge Based Strategies for Roundworm Control No.16. Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) No.17. Monitoring of the Nutritional Management of Pregnant Ewes No.18. Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis No.19. Preparing your Rams for Mating

All newssheets can be bought individually from the Moredun Foundation for £1.50 each (including p&p). A volume 4 Newsheet book will be available towards the end of the year.

Please send orders to: Ashley Baird, The Moredun Foundation, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: ashley.baird@moredun.org.uk

Moredun Foundation Newsheet Books Books of previous sets of newsheets can be purchased for £15.00 each (plus £1 p&p).

Volume 3 Book: Containing 20 of our popular disease newssheets. Titles include CLA, lameness, sheep scab, worm control strategies, liver fluke and orf.

Volume 2 Book: Newssheet topics include Maedi Visna, Pasteurellosis, Scrapie, Effective Ectoparasite Control and Ovine Abortion among others.

Volume 1 Book: Newssheet topics include Jaagsiekte, Watery Mouth, Detection and Treatment of Hypothermia, Border Disease, Footrot and lots more.

For a full list of articles in each newssheet book please visit our website at www.moredun.org.uk/shop Books can be purchased online, or by contacting us at the address below.

The Moredun Foundation

The Moredun Foundation

News Sheets 1-30

News Sheets 1-20

Volume 1

Volume 3

The Moredun Foundation

News Sheets 1-30 Volume 1

Please send orders to: Ashley Baird, The Moredun Foundation, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: ashley.baird@moredun.org.uk