Research News
RVC Paper selected as "must read" for Faculty of 1000
29 May 2012
Looking for an interesting article to read then check out Dr Clive Bate's recent paper on the role of clustering of sialic acid-containing GPI anchors, which has been selected as a "must read" for Faculty of 1000 - a great honour!
Bate, C; Williams, A (2012)
Neurodegeneration Induced by Clustering of Sialylated Glycosylphosphatidylinositols of Prion Proteins
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287, (11): 7935-7944
http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.275743
Increased involvement of RVC at European level
28 May 2012
During the 4th European Symposium on Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) held in Bruges in April 2012, which was attended by more than 900 delegates, Pablo Alarcon and Heiko Nathues from the Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health group, presented a total of 5 abstracts covering different topics of current RVC research in the field of pig medicine and epidemiology. Furthermore, during the annual general meeting of the European College of Porcine Health Management (ECPHM), Heiko was elected as a Board member (Secretary). He is the first ever Board member to obtain the Diplomate title of this European College by examination rather than by de facto recognition. In addition, he was elected as a member of the Executive Committee (Board) of the European Association of Porcine Health Management (EAPHM), which was founded in 2010 and represents veterinary specialists in pig medicine from across Europe. Holding both positions for the next three years, Heiko´s challenge will be to facilitate the link between the College which specialises in academic qualification and the Association which focuses on the needs of pig experts in the field.
Award in recognition of scientific contribution to pig epidemiological research
25 May 2012
Congratulations to Dr. Heiko Nathues, a member of the
Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Group, who has been awarded the ‘Konrad-Boegel-Preis 2012’ by the Hannover Veterinary School. He received this award for his PhD thesis, entitled ‘Influence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain variation, environmental factors and co-infections on Enzootic Pneumonia in pigs’, which an independent peer review panel considered to be of an outstanding scientific quality .
Assessing the Limb Mobility of the Early Four-Legged Vertebrate Animal Ichthyostega
23 May 2012
Research funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, and published in the journal Nature, has revealed how the early four-legged vertebrate (tetrapod) called Ichthyostega, moved on land.
The study, conducted by Dr. Stephanie E Pierce and Professor John R Hutchinson from the Royal Veterinary College and Professor Jennifer A Clack from the University of Cambridge, examined limb mobility in the 360 million year old fossil tetrapod by reconstructing the first ever three-dimensional computer model of its skeleton. Further details are available here.
Economic principles for resource allocation decisions at national level to mitigate the effects of disease in farm animal populations
14 May 2012
Surveillance is an increasingly important component of policies aimed at mitigating the effects of animal disease, and as a focus for evaluation of its economic worth. To inform resource allocation decisions, the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office commissioned a research project involving the RVC to develop a practical, generic tool for the economic evaluation of animal disease surveillance programmes. Further details available here.
The human foot and heel-sole-toe walking strategy
09 May 2012
Research, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, highlights that prosthetic lower limbs and robots' legs could be made more efficient, by making them less human like. Further details are available here.
New findings address important unanswered questions underlying pathogenesis of Chiari-like malformation in cavalier King Charles spaniels
19 April 2012
RVC researchers, including Dr. Imelda McGonnell and Dr. Holger Volk, have recently published some novel and interesting findings addressing the important unanswered questions underlying the pathogenesis of Chiari malformation (CM) in cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS) in PLoS ONE. Further details available here.
Publication of Surveillance Advisory Group’s final report
17 April 2012
Effective veterinary surveillance is a key element in the Government’s risk-based approach to the identification and management of animal disease related threats. The Surveillance Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Dirk Pfeiffer, which was tasked by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency to recommend a future delivery model for surveillance in England and Wales, has published its final report. Further details available here.
New research finds systemic glucocorticoid therapy in cats and dogs is common in primary veterinary practice
13 April 2012
New research by RVC researchers, published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, has highlighted that systemic glucocorticoid therapy in cats and dogs is common in primary veterinary practice. The study also showed:
- Significant risk factors for systemic glucocorticoid therapy for both species included pathophysiological indication, advancing age, sex, skin disorder and the individual clinic attended.
- Wide variation in prescribing behaviour was seen across practices indicating low commonality of approach to prescribing for systemic glucocorticoids.
The study also demonstrated the usefulness of the VetCompass database of primary practice electronic patient records for research purposes, as clinical data on 31,273 cat and dog consultations with pharmacotherapy from three veterinary practices in England was analysed.
O'Neill, D., Hendricks, A.; Summers, J; Brodbelt, D,
Primary care veterinary usage of systemic glucocorticoids in cats and dogs in three UK practices.
Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2012. 53(4): p. 217-222.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2012.01190.x
NOVICE International Conference - Insights for online professional communities (4th-5th October 2012)
11 April 2012
NOVICE is the Network Of Veterinary ICt in Education, an EU funded Project led by six veterinary institutions, including the RVC. The project aims to investigate the use of Web 2.0 tools such as discussion boards in informal lifelong learning.
The project has led to the development of a veterinary online community, www.noviceproject.eu.
The project will host a conference entitled 'Insights for online professional communities' on 4th-5th October 2012 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania.
The conference aims to bring together members of any profession involved, or wishing to be involved, with their own online professional community. It will provide the opportunity for online professional communities (such as NOVICE) to present results and experience from their research, in order to share opinions of best practice with other professions. We are also very keen for members of online professional communities to share their experiences, for example in facilitating discussion boards, holding virtual classrooms or managing groups.
If you have any research, or experience with online professional sites, please consider submitting an abstract for a short communication, poster presentation or workshop. Deadline 1st June 2012.
Please visit the conference website for more information: http://www.novice-conference.com/
NOVICE - Veterinary Online Community
11 April 2012
NOVICE is the Network Of Veterinary ICt in Education, an EU funded Project led by six veterinary institutions, including the RVC. The project aims to investigate the use of Web 2.0 tools such as discussion boards in informal lifelong learning.
The project has led to the development of a veterinary online community, www.noviceproject.eu. If you are part of the veterinary community then we would encourage you to register today. Registration is free and easy to do.
Here are just some of the things that NOVICE could offer you:
- A secure environment limited to veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary educationalists
- An opportunity to discuss current veterinary topics with individuals from other countries
- Students can compare their experiences with those in other years or vet schools, or ask vets questions
- Veterinarians can share their knowledge of new diseases, treatments or teaching methods
Marie Curie grant awarded to RVC to study dinosaur footprints
13 March 2012
An EU Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship has been awarded to the RVC to study dinosaur track formation, with the aim of investigating locomotor evolution in dinosaurs. Further details available here.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases research
08 March 2012
In human causes of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), specific cytokine patterns attributed to T cell subsets, especially T helper cell [Th]1, Th17 and regulatory T(reg) cells have emerged to support pathogenesis. Recent investigation at the RVC into the cause of IBD in dogs suggest that this is not the case, suggesting that both diseases, despite the similarity in clinical signs, may differ in their causative circumstance. The contribution of specific T cell subsets to the pathogenesis of canine IBD warrants further investigation.
Schmitz, S., O. A. Garden, et al. (2012). "Gene expression of selected signature cytokines of T cell subsets in duodenal tissues of dogs with and without inflammatory bowel disease." Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 146(1): 87-91.
Slipstreaming tactics work for winning racehorses
07 March 2012
New research published today (Wednesday 7 March 2012) reveals that sitting in the slipstream of frontrunners is a winning strategy for jockeys:
- Racehorses gain significant advantage from “covering up” behind competitors until the final stages of races
- Different pacing strategies support notions of distinct "front-runner" and "chaser" horse personalities
A detailed study of almost 45,000 racehorses has proved that horses that tuck in closely behind frontrunners during races are most likely to come out on top.
Polarised macrophage phenotypes: the key to resolving tendon inflammation
24th February 2012
RVC tendon biology researchers have recently published novel findings addressing important unanswered questions underlying the pathogenesis of tendon injuries in the journal PLoS ONE. Further details available here.
Dinosaur Posture debate resolved
22 February 2012
Research published today (22nd February) provides, for the first time, a clear answer to the debate as to whether Triceratops and other extinct creatures took on a more mammal-like or more reptile like posture. More details here.
FLURISK – RVC researchers to collaborate on an EFSA funded project assessing the risk of pandemic influenza viruses
15 February 2012
Influenza infections of animals have recently become of great concern for animal and human health, because such strains may become the next pandemic influenza virus. A multi-disciplinary international consortium consisting of the RVC, AHVLA, and partners in Italy, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and international organisations including FAO and CDC, has been awarded a project grant by the European Food Safety Agency to investigate the pandemic potential of influenza viruses. The aim of the project is to develop an integrated risk assessment framework that combines all elements that may be involved in a virus to become pandemic. Such elements for example include circulation of viruses in different species, where strains are currently circulating, and what receptor binding characteristics they have. The outcomes of this project will provide insight into which viruses have a higher risk to become pandemic and will therefore inform risk based surveillance at a global level.
RVC student successful in obtaining a place on the Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students
14 February 2012
Congratulations to RVC student, Lauren Hamstead, who has been offered a place on the Cornell Leadership Programme for Veterinary Students this summer. Lauren, currently doing a combined BSc/BVetMed (D101) course, will be supervised by Professor Scott Coonrod at the Baker Institute. Her project will be to look at developing a form of immunocontraception, by looking at protein expression on oocytes, with the ultimate future aim of developing a contraceptive vaccine for dogs and cats. We wish Lauren all the best with her project and look forward to hearing all about it on her return.
Animal Welfare Education research published
09 February 2012
Education of children and adolescents as future caretakers and consumers is of increasing interest to academics and policy makers as a means by which to improve standards of animal welfare and ensure compliance with legislation. Recent research focussing on farm animal welfare by PhD student Jen Jamieson and supervisor Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe in collaboration with Professor Michael Reiss at IOE and the RSPCA has led to some critical findings and development of a novel targeted attitude scale. Further details available here.
Finalist for APS Predoctoral Excellence in Renal Research Award 2012
08 February 2012
Teresa Kennedy-Lydon, a PhD student with the Urinary System Physiology Unit, has been selected as a finalist for the APS Predoctoral Excellence in Renal Research Award 2012. Teresa will present her work entitled “Inhibition of medullary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) adversely affects medullary blood flow” at the upcoming Experimental Biology meeting in San Diego, USA, April 2012.
This study describes the use of a novel kidney slice model, developed by Dr. Claire Peppiatt-Wildman, to investigate the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on renal medullary blood flow and more specifically their effect on pericyte-mediated changes in vasa recta capillary diameter. Pericytes are specialised smooth-muscle-like cells and have been shown to regulate capillary diameter. It is well known that NSAIDs are nephrotoxic and can reduce medullary blood flow by up to 20% however the precise mechanisms that underlie reduced medullary blood flow are poorly understood. The data collated in this study indicate that pericyte cells are pivotally involved in mediating the NSAID-evoked reduction in medullary blood flow and may be key in the ensuing nephrotoxicity that occurs as a result.
We wish Teresa all the best for her presentation!
RVC student reports on the research she did following Research Bursary award
08 February 2012
Kathryn Wale (a final year vet med student) was awarded a World Horse Welfare undergraduate research bursary in 2011 for a project studying the epidemiology of the equine disease Strangles at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, arranged through her RVC supervisor Professor Ken Smith, who has a strong affiliation with the bacteriology group there. For further details about her project see here.
HR Excellence in Research Award - Royal Veterinary College achieves ‘HR Excellence in Research’ Award
06 February 2012
The Royal Veterinary College has been recognised by the European Commission for its 'HR Excellence in Research'. This award recognises the positive actions that the College has taken and will continue to take to support the career development of researchers and the actions in place to implement the principles of the Concordat to Support the Development of Researchers.
The College is one of only 50 UK higher education institutions to be recognised in this way.
This is a UK-wide process, overseen by Vitae, enabling UK HEIs to gain the European Commission’s ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge, which acknowledges their alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The UK process incorporates both the QAA Code of Practice for Research Degress Programmes and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
For more information about this significant achievement and to view our Concordat implementation strategy action plan, please visit the Research Staff web-page.
RVC Lecturer appointed to ministerial board for animal health and welfare
06 February 2012
Dr Jonathan Rushton, a Senior Lecturer at The Royal Veterinary College, has been appointed to the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE).
As a non-executive member of the new body for advising Ministers on animal health and welfare, Dr Rushton will sit alongside senior animal health officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Further information about this appointment is available here.
New findings address important unanswered questions underlying pathogenesis of IBD in German Shepherd Dogs
30 January 2012
RVC researchers, including Dr Karin Allenspach and Professor Dirk Werling, have recently published some novel and interesting findings addressing the important unanswered questions underlying the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs)in PLOS ONE
Dr Allenspach explains "The data suggest that mutations in certain receptors in the innate immune system are involved in IBD in GSDs. A particular mutation in one of these receptors, called Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), results in a gain of function which implies that this may be why there is an exaggerated intestinal inflammation in GSDs carrying these mutations. We have shown this looking at peripheral blood cells from GSDs with IBD recruited for our study. Next, we will confirm these findings looking at intestinal biopsies from GSDs with IBD. If these findings are confirmed at the level of intestinal biopsies, this will be a significant step towards finding novel therapeutic agents for IBD. It is possible that by blocking the hyper-responsive TLR5 receptors in these dogs we could alleviate the clinical signs seen in this disease".
Kathrani, A; Holder, A; Catchpole, B; Alvarez, L; Simpson, K; Werling, D; Allenspach, K. 2012 TLR5 Risk-Associated Haplotype for Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Confers Hyper-Responsiveness to Flagellin. PLoS ONE 7(1): e30117.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030117
Do humans and baboons share diseases?
27 January 2012
A new article by RVC researcher, Dr Julian Drewe, focuses on the possibility of disease transmission between humans and city-dwelling non human primates. The article, published in the February 2012 issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Disease, is the result of an international collaboration with researchers in South Africa. Further information is available here.
BEMB Trust award PhD studentship to Professor Tomley
26 January 2012
Congratulations to Professor Fiona Tomley and Professor Declan McKeever who have been awarded a PhD studentship by the BEMB Trust. The PhD project is to look at the "Control of poultry red mite: expression and administration of vaccine antigens to poultry in the protozoan parasite Eimeria tenella". Professor Tomley's project was selected due to its good science and its relevance to the current problems of the Egg Production Industry.
This is an excellent achievement as BEMB only fund one new student every other year.
This project is now being advertised on our website - for further information and details of how to apply please see our Graduate School section.
Final Year RVC Student participates in Cornell Veterinary Leadership Program
26 January 2012
Per Karlsson represented the Royal Veterinary College during last summer in Ithaca, NY, as a participant in the 2011 Cornell University Leadership Program for Veterinary Students. The program provided 27 students from across the United States and international locations to participate in biomedical research under the guidance of a research mentor, attend career training workshops, and visit the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases. The Cornell Leadership Program for Veterinary Students was started in 1990 as a way to encourage veterinary graduates to pursue careers in scientific research and veterinary public health. Read about Per's research here.
VetCompass and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust collaborate on Disease Surveillance in Kennel Club registered dogs in the UK
24 January 2012
The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has agreed to fund a Research Assistant in Companion Animal Epidemiology to look at breed related disorders in Kennel Club (KC) registered dogs. The study will build on ongoing research at the RVC working with electronic patient records in primary practice, the Veterinary Companion Animal Surveillance System (VetCompass, www.rvc.ac.uk/VetCompass). VetCompass current collaborates with over 100 private veterinary practices in the UK and continues to recruit more centres. This project will link existing VetCompass electronic clinical records to pedigree and genetic data held in the KC Database. This will allow the identification and evaluation of the disorders diagnosed in registered pedigree dogs and the role played by major breed lines. This work is being carried out collaboratively between the Royal Veterinary College (Dr Dave Brodbelt, Mr Dan O'Neill and Professor David Church) and the University of Sydney (Professor Paul McGreevey and Ass. Prof Peter Thomson).
Dave Brodbelt commented: ‘This is an exciting pilot project that will allow us to link for the first time practice electronic clinical records to Kennel Club held data in order to identify the major conditions seen in KC registered dogs and explore the pedigree basis of some of these conditions.’
Generation and characterization of antibodies to alpha dystroglycan
20 January 2012
Congratulations to Dr Sue Brown whose team have been awarded £45k by LGMD21 Research Fund and Cure CMD to work on "generation and characterization of antibodies to alpha dystrologycan". The work will be done in collaboration with Dr Glenn Morris's laboratory (RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital Trust).
Dr Brown explains more about the project: "We aim to produce a series of well characterized polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed against different glycoepitopes within alpha dystroglycan. To do this we plan to use a number of immunogens with the aim of being able to target epitopes that are present on either fully glycosylated alpha dystroglycan or the partially or abnormally glycosylated forms present in dystroglycanopathy patients. A panel of antibodies able to recognize these partially glycosylated forms within individual biopsies would enable us to define more clearly the disease process".
Independent review to develop future surveillance model for England and Wales
12 January 2012
Professor Dirk Pfeiffer (Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology), has been asked by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency to chair a new independent Advisory Group, tasked to recommend a future delivery model for surveillance in England and Wales. The Advisory Group includes experts from government, the veterinary profession and the livestock farming and private laboratory industry and has been created so that the needs of key stakeholder groups are considered in the development of the future model of surveillance.
Further information is available on our Press Release.
Rhinos' feet tested to see how they support heavy loads
10 January 2012
BBC News have been reporting on research that is being carried out by RVC researchers at Coventry Zoo.
Professor John Hutchinson's team are being funded by the BBSRC to find out how rhinos, who are one of the heaviest land animals, carry their weight when they only have small stumpy feet. Read the BBC's feature (with video) here.
Further Information
For more information about any of these stories please contact the RVC Press Office
See the Research News Archive for older stories.