Research
Farm animal infectious diseases research relating mainly to various forms of lameness; identifying the causes and designing interventions
Digital dermatitis in domesticated and wildlife species
I have headed up a research group in the Veterinary School working on digital dermatitis since 1994 and have published over 30 papers in the area. Our research has clearly demonstrated that, in all species (currently have identified it in dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats and wild Elk) with this painful and crippling lameness, there is an infective aetiology which has unique treponemal bacteria as the only common infection and which are omnipresent in foot lesions. We have identified infection reservoirs, routes of transmission, risk factors and identified potentially effective treatments. Currently, we are investigating the possibility of developing a vaccine. Our work is supported by Research Councils, charities, farm industries and pharmaceutical concerns.
Research grants
Dissecting treponemal immune-modulation to enable disease control.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2024 - October 2027
Dissecting cell surface protein diversity to enhance leptospiral vaccine efficacy.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2022 - December 2026
Aetiopathogenesis and genomic architecture of claw horn lesions in dairy cattle
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
December 2018 - January 2023
BENCH FEES FOR INTAN NOOR AINA BINTI KAMARUZAMAN
MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT (MALAYSIA)
March 2016 - February 2019
Unravelling the aetiology of contagious ovine digital dermatitis.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL, EBLEX (UK), HYBU CIG CYMRU MEAT PROMOTION WALES (UK)
January 2016 - January 2020
The feline leucocyte antigen complex: breed variability and association with susceptibility to feline infectious peritonitis.
PET PLAN CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
June 2000 - December 2001
Host-Pathogen interactions of treponemes and hoof tissues in digital dermatitis: How does infection lead to lameness?
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2007 - February 2011
The UK DNA Archive for Companion Animals : An important resource for Genetic Studies of Disease.
KENNEL CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
July 2007 - April 2009
Towards a greater understanding of contagious ovine digital dermatitis - an epidemiological approach
BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION (UK)
January 2012 - September 2016
Understanding the genetic basis of canine osteoarthritis.
PET PLAN CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
November 2005 - January 2009
The role of C1-esterase inhibitor in survival in equine colic: diagnostic predictor or therapeutic option?
THE HORSE TRUST (UK)
January 2005 - December 2007
Between animal and between farm transmission: the role of behaviour, signalling, host genetics and management (Pathogen transmission).
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (UK)
April 2004 - December 2009
A UK DNA Archive for the Study of Complex Clinical Phenotypes in Companion Animals.
PET PLAN CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
January 2003 - January 2004
The genetic basis of canine atopic dermatitis
PET PLAN CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
November 2007 - October 2010
Control of digital dermatitis in cattle: understanding transmission and spread of disease.
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (UK)
May 2002 - September 2006
Support for the UK DNA archive for companion animals.
BRITISH SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY ASSOCIATION (UK)
February 2006 - January 2007
Microsatellite genetic analysis of Fell Pony immunodeficiency.
THE HORSE TRUST (UK)
January 2001 - December 2001
Value in People Award 2005.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2005 - September 2009
Immunodeficiency in Fell ponies.
THE HORSE TRUST (UK)
June 1999 - May 2001
Identifying the genes associated with Cruciate Ligament failure in Newfoundlands.
KENNEL CLUB CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
October 2009 - March 2013
Bovine digital dermititis.
VETERINARY LABORATORIES AGENCY (UK)
May 1999 - December 2001
Molecular immunogenetic typing in the horse for disease susceptibility studies.
THE HORSE TRUST (UK)
April 2000 - March 2003
Immunodeficiency in Fell Ponies.
FELL PONY 2000
July 1998 - June 2012
Obesity in dogs - role of the leptin receptor.
PET PLAN CHARITABLE TRUST (UK)
June 2002 - May 2003