Two major research institutions have announced significant funding boosts that will help protect UK livestock against damaging diseases.
The Pirbright Institute announced has secured £77.3 million from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) over the next five years for two research streams.
One programme will focus on viruses, including the mechanics of replication, evolution and transmission and will be closely linked to the work of Pirbright’s world-leading Reference Laboratories.
The other will also include research into vaccines and immunity and will inform the institute’s work using new gene editing technologies, with the potential it said to 'transform current methods of fighting disease'.
The Roslin Institute, in Edinburgh, has received £29.3m from BBSRC for research into farm animal genetics, development, welfare and infectious diseases.
BBSRC has awarded grants worth £319m to support 16 programmes of research at the National Institutes of Bioscience over the next five years.
'Major vote of confidence'
Dr Bryan Charleston, Director of The Pirbright Institute said the announcement is a major vote of confidence in tackling livestock diseases.
“This funding will give us a strong foundation on which to build over the next five years.
“The threat to the UK from viral disease is increasing. The impact of global warming for example means viruses that once only affected tropical regions, are now threatening those in more temperate climates.
“Pirbright’s research to understand and develop innovative ways of combatting the threat of diseases that affect livestock and those that spread from animals to humans has never been more important”.
Professor Melanie Welham, BBSRC Chief Executive said: “The positive impacts in food, agriculture, energy, materials and health will help drive economic growth and deliver benefits to society across the UK and beyond”.
