Funding backs next phase of Roslin research
Research to improve the health, welfare and sustainability of livestock farming has received a multi-million funding award from the UK Government.
The investment in the University’s Roslin Institute was announced by Business Secretary Greg Clark during a visit to the Easter Bush Campus.
The Roslin Institute is a great example of Scotland’s world class bioscience sector and exactly the sort of project our Industrial Strategy will support.
Strategic research
Research at The Roslin Institute aims to enable data-driven innovations to improve the productivity of farmed animals without compromising their health and welfare.
An investment of £29.3m from the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council will support three key programmes of research over the next five years.
This investment will help to ensure Roslin’s continuing success over the next five years. The Institute plays a pivotal role in the University’s mission to tackle the many pressing issues in animal health and welfare, including those which have implications for human health and sustainability of animals in the food chain.
Improving animal welfare
Scientists will examine how genes determine the healthy development and function of systems in the body – such as the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Infectious diseases in farmed animals will also be a focus of research. Experts will aim to develop strategies to control outbreaks, in particular of diseases that can spread to people.
Funding will support research to understand the role of genetic, environmental and dietary factors that affect livestock growth.
The BBSRC’s support highlights the quality and strategic relevance of our work in farm animal genetics, development, welfare and infectious diseases.
World-leading
The funding is part of a £318 million UK-wide investment by the BBSRC to support strategic research programmes in the UK’s National Institutes of Biosciences, of which The Roslin Institute is one.
In addition to research, the investment will support core facilities at Roslin’s world-leading laboratories.
BBSRC’s strategic funding investments in research, people and vital national capabilities at world leading bioscience institutes will deliver new knowledge and innovation and help realise the potential of a bio-based economy. The positive impacts in food, agriculture, energy, materials and health will help drive economic growth and deliver benefits to society across the UK and beyond.