A-Z list of Roslin staff

My research interests are currently focussed on the epidemiology and ecology of trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and the health of wild raptor populations in Scotland.

Understanding the genetic control of complex traits, including responses to infectious disease, in farmed animals, primarily pigs and cattle.

Characterization of the genomes of Suina species, including domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), Common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus), Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) and Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu).

Translational genomics in critical care medicine.

Animal breeding, genomics and computational biology.

The Roslin Institue shellfish team use molecular biology techniques to study bivalve molluscs, including fundamental aspects of bivalve biology, aquaculture, ecotoxicology and genetics which have direct industry and policy relevance. 

The aim of my research is to understand the interactions between large DNA viruses and their host, and translate this knowledge into clinical outcomes. My research team focuses on the three capripoxvirus species (lumpy skin disease virus, sheeppox virus and goatpox virus) which each cause severe disease in livestock in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. 

In addition to my research I am the OIE laboratory expert for capripoxviruses at the Pirbright Institute and provide advice to international agencies on the control of these viruses. I lead the European Commission funded project DEFEND which is tackling the emergence of African swine fever and lumpy skin disease in Europe in partnership with 31 other consortium members including industry partners ID-VET and Zoetis. (EU H2020 research programme 773701).

My research interests are in molecular pathways that become dysregulated in cancer and dysregulation of osteoclasts in bone. I have a particluar interest in oral tumours in cats, and how they invade the bone of the mandible as well as feline tooth resorption. Osteoclasts are my favourite cell, so anything related to osteoclasts and I am interested!

I am a behavioural ecologist interested in within species variation in individual behaviour.  I use a combination of sensor technology, experimental design and statistical techniques to answer questions about how an individual’s environment and past experiences can influence variability, both within themselves and amongst each other as well as at a group level.

During my PhD, I used amphibian tadpoles as model organism to understand the how individual variation in behaviour is influenced by environmental factors such as competition, food availability and human disturbance. 

My post-doctoral research is on the behaviour of commercially bred Pekin ducks.  I use multiple sources of environmental, sensor, genomic and phenotypes collected on individual ducks to improve both understanding of individuals and flock performance.

Equine cardiology: sudden cardiac death, 4D echocardiography, mitral and aortic valve function.  General Anaesthesia: haemodynamic effects of anaesthesia in horses. Factors affecting recovery quality in horses, perioperative mortality.

Prion diseases are prototypical protein-misfolding neurodegenerative disorders. Using this model we study how protein-misfolding within the brain results in activation of the supporting glia cells, impacts upon brain function and ultimately leads to loss of the connections (synapses) and death of brain cells (neurons). The goal of my research is to understand how this happens and how other infections and activation of the immune system may influence neurodegeneration. the ultimate goal of my research is to identify potential therapeutic treatments for these currently untreatable conditions.

I currently have a broad portfolio of interests including the epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease and bovine tuberculosis and using molecular tools to understand transmission and spread at different scales in LMICs.  

To date my main research interest has been in mixed (or multilevel) models. These involve identifying and accounting for sources of variation and correlation structures in the data and offer potential advantages over conventional modelling methods including: improved efficiency, more appropriate variances and correlations, wider inference and offer the potential to overcome problems caused by missing data.

At The Roslin Institute my research will involve providing the statistical contribution to collaborative scientific research using a range of methods and developing novel statistical approaches to particular problems arising where appropriate. I expect to develop my research in mixed models further in addressing applications arising within the Institute.

• Animal behaviour and welfare
• Experience of positive affect in animals
• 'Happy-Healthy' - how positive experiences affect mental and physical health
• Role of neuroinflammation in animal health and welfare
• Human-animal interactions - in particular empathy and animal training techniques

T cell responses in infection and neurodegeneration.

Regulation of growth and differentiation of embryo derived stem cells.

Developing methods for understanding how genes are related to the development of different traits.

My main research interests focus on transcriptomics and genomics in livestock in both production animals and indigenous African breeds. I am particularly interested in functional annotation and the transcriptional control of complex traits.

Aquaculture

Immunology

Genomics

• Veterinary clinical orthopaedics
• Veterinary surgical education
• The epidemiology of health aging in dog populations
• The genetic basis and functional aspects of osteoarthritis.

Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying lung disease.

• Clinical farm animal veterinary medicine

• Population health and metabolic status

• Immunology and vaccinology

• Zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance  

Mitral valve disease in dogs, tissue engineered solutions to sourcing valve tissue for research.

• The relationship between renal handling of salt in early diabetes mellitus and regulation of blood pressure
• Molecular mechanisms in canine myxomatous mitral valve disease
• Inheritance and genetics of cardiac accessory pathways in UK Labrador retrievers
• Endothelial dysfunction in dogs in naturally occurring risk factors for metabolic syndrome

Our current projects include:

• The embryological origin of radial aplasia
• Fate mapping the limb bud and the control of co-ordinated development of limb anatomy
• Developing novel avian transgenic tools for developmental biology
• The evolution of limb pattern in birds
• The function of TALPID3

My main research interest is to improve the understanding of infectious fish disease pathogenesis and resistance, and research in pathology morphometric approaches. I also provide pathology input on a range of collaborative research projects (e.g. squirrel leprosy, canine mast cell tumour metastasis, pulmonary hypertension models, radiation induced lung injury models, and surgical approaches to canine liver biopsy sampling).

Human and animal prion disease pathogenesis and strain characterisation.

Replication and pathogenesis of influenza viruses.

• Livestock comparative genomics, functional genomics and metagenomics.
• Tropical livestock adaptation, resilience and productivity
• Tropical agriculture and sustainable development

The Doeschl-Wilson group investigates how the genetics of individuals affects the spread of infectious disease, both within an animal and between animals. We are an interdisciplinary group of scientists aiming to effectively combine field and laboratory experiments with mathematical modelling and quantitative genetics theory, with the ultimate aim to improve livestock health and resilience.  

I lead a research group working in the areas of Stem Cell biology and Reproductive Biology in large animal species. We are interested in these species both from a veterinary perspective and as disease models.  Work in my laboratory spans from hypothesis-led studies to understand basic cell, organ and whole animal biology and physiology, all the way through to translational studies with industry to develop novel molecular diagnostics and cell-based tools to address specific key challenges faced by the livestock (cattle and pigs) industry and companion animal sectors, in addition to applications for cellular agriculture. My laboratory is best known for pioneering work on 1) the use of miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers for cattle, and 2) the characterization and application of stem cells (iPSCs and MSCs) in farm species (horse, cattle, pigs). 

Using the genetics and physiology of avian reproduction allows us to develop strategies utilising traditional or marker assisted selection to tackle problems as diverse as osteoporosis in laying hens, growth and reproduction in meat type birds, antimicrobial activity of egg white and shell quality in laying hens.

Research projects:

- Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal cells (MSCs) as novel tools for combating antimicrobial resistance in companion animals (horses and dogs) and livestock (cattle)

- Developing novel stem cell approaches towards next-generation regenerative therapies

- Involvement of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal cells in Mycobacterium infection

- Exploiting stem cell and gene editing technologies towards discovery of genetic variants important for muscle development and meat production

- Isolation and characterisation of myogenic precursor cells in pigs: towards development of an in vitro model for the study of muscle growth

Unraveling  the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for bone and cartilage growth, development and mineralisation in health and disease.

Use of genomic and molecular tools to examine the evolution and pathogenesis of clinically important species of Staphylococci and Legionella

I am interested in the molecular pathways activated as cells adapt to various forms of stress and how these become dysregulated in disease.

My research aims to define the genetic determinants that contribute to the spread of important zoonotic diseases such as those caused by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella.  Current work is applying machine learning and phylogenomics to predict the source and disease threat of isolates. The other main focus of our research is to understand the expression of bacterial colonisation factors and apply this knowledge to develop vaccines to limit bacterial zoonotic diseases. 

Veterinary education, veterinary primary care, community animal health and welfare, shelter medicine, ethics, veterinary history, cross-discipline animal studies. See under Media tab for some more information.

I am currently involved in the European SMARTER project (https://www.smarterproject.eu/). As part of the this project, we aim to develop new traits for resilience and understand the effect of genomic in improving the resilience of sheep and goat.

My group researches the functional relationships between the microbiota, host and environment in various animal species, with a particular focus on avians. 

Our research group is interested in how embryonic patterns are produced during development, with a particular focus on interrogating the influences of the molecular and mechanoceullar environment on these processes. We take a multidisciplinary approach incorporating aspects of several fields including cell biology, developmental biology, mathematics and engineering, using the chick embryo as our primary model. Our goal is to understand the core processes which drive vertebrate periodic pattern formation to provide insight into the causality of associated birth disorders and help guide future regenerative medicine strategies. 

I lead the HighlanderLab, which focuses on managing and improving populations using data science, genetics, and breeding.

We focus on populations used for food, feed, and fibre production with some spillover into other populations.

 We are particularly interested in:

(i) methods for genetics and breeding,

(ii) design and optimisation of breeding programmes, and

(iii) analysis of data to unravel biology and to find new ways of improving populations.

My lab is interested in the role of RNA regulators and RNA binding proteins in the regulation of gene expression. Most of our research has focussed on the assembly of large macromolecular complexes, such as the yeast ribosome. However, more recently, we have also been working on understanding the role of RNA surveillance factors in the regulation of mRNA transcription and translation in both yeast and pathogenic bacteria. The goal of our research is to obtain detailed mechanistic insights into the strategies that organisms use for regulating gene expression during rapid adaptive responses. For our research we use highly innovative methodologies such as CRAC and CLASH and high-throughput structure probing methods. Our work is funded by the BBSRC, SULSA, the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

Identifying host pathogen interactions using systems approaches

As a RCVS recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine, I am interested in all aspects of feline internal medicine, though I have current projects on Mycobacterial infections, feline genomics and dementia.

Neuromuscular diseases in all animals, and all facets of equine neurology.

Understanding complex trait variation in humans and other species.

The use of quantitative statistical and epidemiological methods to address questions of animal/human health and disease surveillance.

My research interests are in emerging and zoonotic viruses, RNA viruses, one health, functional genetics, and infectious diseases and climate change. 

Publication(s):

• Hanton AJ, Scott F, Stenzel K, Nausch N, Zdesenko G, Mduluza T, Mutapi F. (2022) “Frequency distribution of cytokine and associated transcription factor single nucleotide polymorphisms in Zimbabweans: Impact on schistosome infection and cytokine levels”, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16(6):e0010536 doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010536
• Hanton AJ, Waddell LA, Hope JC, Gray M, Wu Z. (2023) "Bovine NK subsets in the afferent lymph and lymph nodes have distinct expression of naive and activation-associated cell surface expressed molecules, and are differentially stimulated by BCG vaccination", Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 226(2023):110682 doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2023.110682

Broadly speaking, my interests lie in the relationships between pathogens and their hosts, the evolution of traits such as resistance, virulence and host preference, and how an understanding of these processes can be used to inform disease control and intervention strategies. Much of my research career has been focused on the evolution of influenza viruses. 

Development, maintenance and repair of the skin and its appendages.

Immune responses to Mycobacterial infections in cattle.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of infectious and neurological diseases of ruminant livestock.

Molecular epidemiology of zoonotic and emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, disease surveillance and control, One Health.

Veterinary education, the student experience, assessment and feedback, student wellbeing, e-learning, educational research methods, staff development.

Mouse models of human and animal disease

My research interests concern the molecular basis of quantitative traits, and ways to integrate different kinds of genomic data in animal genetics.

The equine cardiovascular system and its relationship to endocrinological disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Solid tumours include a range of immune cells that promote tumour development such as regulatory T (Treg) cell, myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC), tumour-associated macrophage (TAM), and neutrophil (TAN). I am interested in their roles in metastatic tumour outgrowth and effects on anti-tumour immune reactions as well as efficacy of immunotherapy.

Cancer Research, Antibody Engineering, Immune Checkpoints, Veterinary Therapeutics

I have concentrated my studies in Quantitative Genetics, Computing for Statistical Genetics (specially in R software), and Mixed Models. My research interests comprise Bioinformatics, Genomic Selection, Bayesian Models, Machine and Deep Learning.

The development of simple-to-use systems for handling and reformatting data for genetic analyses.

Pathogen Phylodynamics - evolution and epidemiology of viruses and bacteria using bayesian and machine learning methods.

The overall interest of the Lynskey Lab is the study of virulence factor regulation and innate immune modulation by pathogenic streptococci. Our work is currently focused on two important pathogens, Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus), the causative agent of economically important infections in multiple animal hosts which has also emerged as a major human pathogen, and the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus). We seek to identify regulatory genes that enable the bacteria to switch from a benign to invasive disease state and characterise their mechanism of action and impact on host immune defences. We are also interested to use this information to better   understand and characterise the factors driving host-species adaptation of S. agalactiae, which causes significant disease in humans, cattle and fish.

Host-pathogen interactions in the mucosal immune system.

Research methodology, open science practices

Within education research: Digital education (effectiveness, utilisation and effects on experience), student learning, student experience, staff teaching experience, effective public engagement.

Within veterinary sciences: human-animal interactions, human behaviour change for animal welfare, animal support, companion animal welfare, animal welfare education.

Monitoring of farm animal health including the links between nutrition, health and productivity in cattle and sheep.

Investigating new mechanisms of bone formation and vascular calcification.

Clinical biomarkers of congestive heart failure in canine patients Novel diagnostic tools in canine mesothelioma Use of 4-D echocardiography in the dog

Equine internal medical disorders, particularly equine respiratory diseases and grass sickness.

Biobanking and genome editing of avian germ cells

Preclinical studies to evaluate safety and efficacy of vectors for respiratory gene/miRNA delivery in mice & sheep. Sheep as a large animal model for respiratory disease.

Adaptations of the neuroendocrine system: hormonal and neural regulation of reproduction and behaviour.  Animal Welfare: Neurobiology of positive welfare and behaviour.

I am currently working under Dr Mark Gray at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute. Using different models, we are investigating the cellular susceptibility of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection and ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) development. 

Investigating the relationship between nutrition, inflammation and health outcomes using a comparative medicine approach

The mechanisms of T cell-mediated immunity against intracellular pathogens of ruminants and how dysregulation of such responses can result in enhanced pathology.

I am interested in the infection biology of protozoan parasites of livestock. I am particularly attracted to integrated approaches where we can learn about both host and parasite processes that are key to infection/disease progression – especially in the clinically relevant host, the cow. I work primarily on African trypanosomes, but also on Theileria parva , which together are the most significant pathogens affecting livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. I also work on Cryptosporidium parvum, a worldwide enteric pathogen of humans and livestock. My work aims to identify key host-parasite interactions that determine disease outcome, further our understanding of bovine immunobiology, and identify targets for interventions (e.g. drug & vaccine development).

The genetics of atopic dermatitis; allergen specific immunology; antibiotic resistance, particularly meticillin-resistance staphylococci and multi-drug resistant E. coli; and responsible antimicrobial use and infection control.

GenOMICC Genetics of critical illness

www.genomicc.org 

I'm interested in applying machine learning methods and other computational tools to real world data. I use my computational background and software engineering skills to answer research questions from various disciplines including neuroscience, cognitive science and biology. The overarching theme of my research programme can be summarised as quantifying contribution of finely-tuned genetic regulation to emergence of complex function at the synapse using cutting edge computational tools. In the future it will also include tackling the question of the evolution of molecular etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders

My current research interests include studying the role of immune checkpoints in canine and feline cancer and inflammatory disease. I am also intereted in interactions between innate and adaptive immune system in cancer patients. 

Student learning, study skills support (including the use of Peers), student assessment, learning and assessment generally

Role of autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic approach.

Emerging infectious diseases of domestic animals and wildlife, canine adenovirus in red foxes and dogs, salmonellosis in dogs and cats, staphylococcal infections of dogs and cats, yersiniosis in domestic and zoo animals, viral pathogenesis and oncogenesis.

Aetiopathogenesis of equine airway disease and characterising the equine pulmonary innate immune response. Equine dysautonomia, primarily in relation to the investigation of aetiologic pathways.

Scotts currently active areas of reseach include the following:

(1) studies on equine grass sickness with a particular focus on the potential aetiological role of ingested pasture-derived mycotoxins;

(2) studies of the innate immunity of the equine airway, with a particular focus on the role of the alveolar macrophage in determining disease susceptibility;

(3) studies on the role of intestinal macrophage activation in the initiation and maintenance of gut motility disturbances following gastrointestinal surgery (post-operative ileus).

My main research interest is in the development of novel breeding methodologies and tools. This work involves a synergy between theoretical quantitative genetics and practical animal breeding. My main expertise is the application of genomic selection on big datasets for various species (pig, chicken, cattle, etc.) and various models, with emphasis on single-step genomic prediction.

Our group investigates epithelial tissue fusion and related human disorders. Disruptions to how tissues fuse together during human development is a common cause of birth defects, affecting approximately 1 in 500 people in the UK. Our research has been prompted because despite our best efforts, most patients born with problems such as cleft palate, spina bifida, and heart defects still don't have the genetic cause of their disorder identified. This often impacts genetic counselling and efforts towards prevention. We also remain unsure what impacts maternal environment have on these conditions (e.g. illness, vitamin deficiency, or substance abuse). We aim to address these by performing transformative research to reveal the key genes, cell behaviours, and molecular systems required for normal tissue fusion, and provide a step-change in our knowledge of how these can be perturbed.

Dr. Regan's lab is concerned with exploring immune systems of invertebrate aquaculture species in the context of industry relevant diseases. This includes interactions with host-associated microbiomes, environmental stressors and environmental microbiota.

In the foreseeable future, much of this work will focus on how host genetics and environmental stressors affect blue mussel immunology using a whole range of molecular biology and –omics technologies.

My clinical and research interest is neonatal brain injury and neuroprotection of the term and near-term baby, working both as a consultant neonatologist and research group lead at UCL over the past 20 years. The journey has been exciting and fast-moving, with therapeutic hypothermia (HT) for neonatal encephalopathy (NE) being a significant advance in newborn care. However, as HT is only partially protective, we are searching for adjunct therapies which can complement and synergize with HT.  We study mechanisms of brain injury using MR techniques and NIRS. With the aim to move therapies along the translational pipeline, we have studied the following neuroprotective agents: melatonin, noble gases (xenon and argon), amiloride, erythropoeitin, remote ischemic post conditioning.  We have shown that proton MRS is a robust marker of neurodevelopmental outcome in NE and we use this biomarker both in our pre-clinical models and for clinical prognosis.

My main research interest is modelling infectious diseases spread in livestock system and at the interface between livestock and wildlife, in order to improve disease surveillance and control. I use a combination of quantitative tools, including mathematical and statistical modelling, machine learning, networks, and phylogenetics analyses.

I am interested in small animal gastroenterology, especially focusing of mechanisms of disease, clinical assessment and treatment of canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)/ chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE).

Use of deep amplicon sequencing approaches to study nematode parasite diversity and co-infections. Performance of different sheep breeds and selected lines in a harsh hill environment. Changing epidemiology of trematode parasites. Population genetics of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes. Haemonchus contotus and Teladorsagia circumcincta genomics. Train-the-trainer livestock health education.  

Genetic, genomic, and phenotyping approaches to studying the biological mechanisms that underlie canine morphology and disease.

Veterinary diagnostic imaging, in particular computed tomography

Comparative epidemiology of parasitic and infectious diseases and general aspects of animal health.

Genomics of Avian Viral Infections

Studies intracellular bacterial pathogens, with specific interest in the bacterial genes required for intracellular survival and evasion of innate immune responses.

Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli infections in farm animals, with emphasis on the bacterial and host factors that influence persistence, pathogenesis and protection.

The Sutton lab is dedicated to delving into the intricate workings of the chicken's immune system. Leveraging state-of-the-art transgenic technologies pioneered at the Roslin Institute, our research hones in on elucidating the pivotal roles played by innate immune cells, specifically macrophages and dendritic cells, in host responses. Employing a blend of cutting-edge in vivo and in vitro models, our objective is to comprehensively grasp how these cells orchestrate immune responses to infections and vaccines within mucosal tissues. Using this knowledge we can devise more effective strategies to control disease and to enhance poultry health and productivity. 

The research in the Sutton lab is geared towards not only deepening our understanding of the chicken's immune system but also translating this knowledge into practical applications that can significantly benefit the poultry industry, promoting healthier and more productive poultry farming.

Her research focuses on understanding how porcine and zoonotic viruses interact with their hosts and how this understanding can be used to identify genetic susceptibility/resistance and develop diagnostics and treatments. Braving the split between human and animal viruses and technologies Christine is, for example, involved in the generation of genome edited pigs resistant towards one of the most costly pig viruses but also part of the IMI CARE consortium aiming to identify and repurpose drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection causing COVID-19.

Advanced imaging of equine fractures

miRNAs and osteoarthritis

miRNAs and SNPs in equine stress fractures

Understanding how genetic variation influences normal and pathological variation in humans.

Our collaborative research with Prof K Kranc is to address the precise functions of epigenetic regulators in myeloid leukaemia using in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo models. Together with additional screening in patients for mutations in this gene, this research will enable us to develop new approaches to treat leukaemia.

We are trying to understand how aquatic animals respond to challenges such as disease and environmental stressors, and the molecular regulation of those pathways to make them more resilient to those challenges. The ways in which fish and prawns respond to stressors might be shared with other animals, while many others will be unique and it’s understanding those mechanisms, and understanding how these amazing creatures respond and thrive in a dynamic marine environment, that I’m passionate about.

Development of genetically engineered livestock for biomedical and agricultural applications.

Application of population and quantitative genetic approaches to dissect the genetic basis of phenotypic traits in domesticated animal species and to analyze the processes of domestication and breed development.  

Have you ever wondered how the bacteria that live on and inside of us influence how our bodies function? That is the question that the Williams lab aims to answer, with a specific focus on the female reproductive tract and the mammary gland. By identifying the mechanisms by which the microbiome influences female reproductive health and fertility, and how this is altered during disease, our aim is to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to combat the most common and debilitating mammalian reproductive health issues and disorders of lactation.

In a complementary theme, our lab also investigates the social and political factors influencing infant feeding in the UK, and the barriers that women face when it comes to feeding their babies. 

Elucidating the mechanisms underpinning neuronal development, stability and degeneration in health and disease.

My postdoctoral project examines the resilience of wild birds to climate change, where I study their genomics and genetics using transcriptomic/epigenetic approaches to understand seasonality.

My Ph.D. project focuses on functional genomics in chicken, including the genotype-phenotype mapping, population genetics of human-mediated introgression, comparative genomics, and transcriptomics.

Experience in whole-genome sequence data, RNA-seq data, and genome editing techniques (CRISPR-Cas9 in zebrafish).

My passion and interest are growing in bioinformatics to develop computational tools; understanding the function of the genome, and using genomics to study the demography and evolution of populations.