The Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health

A Systems Biology Approach to controlling Nematode Infections of Livestock

Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) funded by the EC – NematodeSystemHealth

Nematodes represent a major threat to the health and welfare of livestock as well as the sustainability of livestock farming. Current control measures involve anthelmintic treatment but this is threatened by the evolution of drug resistance in parasite populations. Alternative control measures are urgently needed. The most promising strategy is the exploitation of genetic variation in resistance to nematode infection. This involves either selective breeding or use of relatively resistant breeds. Selective breeding has been used successfully in Australia and New Zealand. There are two barriers to the widespread exploitation of genetic resistance: many farmers lack the necessary expertise in quantitative genetics and concern about potentially harmful side-effects of genetic resistance. Additional quantitative research is necessary to address these concerns. A systems biology approach is necessary to intgrate the information from many different disciplines into a coherent and consistent description of the host-parasite interaction. The objectives are: to advance our understanding of host-nematode interactions, to use the enhanced understanding to control nematode infections of livestock, to train researchers with the necessary skills to understand and control nematode infections and to apply nematode control on selected farms within Europe.

There are 12 PhD studentships and 2 postdoctoral positions available.  Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply but must not have spent more than 12 months in the previous 3 years resident in the host country.  The posts are well funded at approximately 37,000 euros per annum with additional funds for travel and training.  All fees are included.  Please click on the link for more information.

1. University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK – Louise Matthews and Mike Stear – Comparative mathematical models of selection for parasite resistance. *POSITION FILLED*
2. University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK – Mike Stear and Louise Matthews – Modelling the immune response to nematode infections. *POSITION FILLED*
3. University of Leon, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spain – J. J. Arranz and F. Rojo-Vazquez – Fine mapping of QTL underlying parasite resistance in Spanish Churra sheep.
4. INRA Tours, France – J. Cabaret, C. Neveu and P. Jacquiet – What makes a parasitic nematode successful?
5. INRA Toulouse, France – Carole Moreno and P. Jacquiet – Genetics of resistance to mastitis and nematodes in sheep.
6. AGRIS, Sardinia Italy – A. Carta, S. Casu and A. Scala – Discovering genes involved in gastro-intestinal nematode parasite resistance of sheep by using microsatellites and SNP array data.
7. AGRIS, Sardinia Italy – A. Carta, S. Casu and A. Scala – Relationships between  gastro-intestinal Nematode parasite resistance and other traits of economic relevance in dairy sheep.
8. University College Dublin, Ireland, Veterinary Biosciences Centre and Teagasc, Sheep Research Centre – T. Sweeney and JP. Hanrahan – Comparative analysis of genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in Texel and Suffolk sheep breeds.
9. Wageningen University, Netherlands – A. Kause, J. Van Arendonk and H. Bovenhuis – Selection for tolerance or resistance?
10. Wageningen University, Netherlands ––P. Bijma and J. Van Arendonk – Modeling of interaction between individuals and its consequences for selection for improved resistance to diseases.
11. LfL, Bavaria, Germany – J. Buitkamp – Immunogenetic analysis of the role of the MHC in resistance to nematode infection.
12. LfL, Bavaria, Germany – J. Buitkamp – Immunogenetic analysis of the role of the Interferon gamma in resistance to nematode infection.

Industrial placements

ReactiveLabs (UK) and IPG (NL) – The experienced researchers will work with industry on areas related to this Marie-Curie training network. The placement with RL will involve improving the diagnosis of disease in samples from livestock. The placement with IPG will involve developing and applying the latest techniques to identify animals with superior genetic merit. There are no SME that specialise in breeding disease resistant sheep or cattle and IPG offers the opportunity to absorb and adapt expertise from a closely related area.