Scientists get funding to tackle 'biosecurity threat'

The University of Surrey has been awarded part of a £4m fund to develop vaccines that protect livestock.

It said the funding was set to help "tackle a growing biosecurity threat" faced by the UK.

The Surrey team will focus on developing an mRNA vaccine for avian pathogenic E. coli, a group of bacteria which cause deadly infections in chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other birds.

"E. coli in poultry poses a considerable threat to the global poultry sector, which underpins affordable protein for the growing human population," said Dr Jai Mehat, a lecturer in molecular biology.

"Developing improved vaccines to protect poultry against E. coli will reduce reliance on antibiotics and limit the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, safeguarding food safety and security," he added.

The project - funded by the government and UK Research and Innovation - will develop an mRNA vaccine platform for use across major livestock species.

"This platform will help prepare for future epidemics, tackle antimicrobial resistance, and accelerate the development of next-generation animal vaccines," a university spokesperson said.

The project will work to develop vaccines targeting other high-priority livestock diseases: influenza A virus (IAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and bluetongue virus (BTV), the spokesperson added.

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