ANIMAL PRODUCTION, MEAT AND MILK QUALITY

In an effort to gain a better understanding of how we might improve  animal production, our research is strategically focused on understanding the functionality of the rumen microbes to address the problem of food security through improvement of meat and milk quality while reducing harmful livestock gas emissions

META 'OMIC MICROBIOME RESEARCH

We still have only a very limited understanding of changes in the gut microbiome especially of livestock play a role in disease and animal production. Answering questions about this through a meta 'comic approach is essential for understanding the mechanistic role the microbiome plays on other scientific processes, and for developing tools to further explore this research avenue with improved early life study programmes and more sensitive measurements and improved data collection.

NEW DISEASES, NEW THERAPIES

We have developed a powerful technology for use in the identification and characterization of novel enzymes and bioactive compounds including antimicrobial peptides from gut microbiomes to combat the growing problem of emerging antimicrobial resistance. A major advantage of this development is its improved activity, and specificity to prokaryotic over eukaryotic and mammalian cells with potential application as treatment therapies for emerging bacterial, fungal and protozoal infections in humans and livestock.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING

In an effort to gain a better understanding of the world around us, we have recently begun to use a new technique to investigate the organization and functionality of the diverse parts of our experimental model. We are currently looking to expand this work by collaborating with other labs who have the facilities and prior experience to investigate this project further.