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Towards control of Avian Coronaviruses: outcomes of COST Action

Lonneke Vervelde’s group has been involved in a European collaboration to improve the understanding viruses which severely affect poultry production worldwide.

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16 May 2017

Lonneke Vervelde’s group has been involved in a European collaboration to improve the understanding of viruses which severely affect poultry production worldwide.

The European COST Action FA1207 “Towards co

ntrol of Avian Coronaviruses: strategies for diagnosis, surveillance and vaccination” has run from April 2013 to April 2017 and has brought together 176 experts from 25 countries in the field of Avian Coronavirus research.

Strategies for Diagnosis, Surveillance & Vaccination

For several decades, poultry production worldwide has been struggling with severe diseases and huge economic losses caused by Avian Coronavirus infections. The Action fostered European-wide collaborative research and technology exchange to reach a better understanding of the drivers of Avian Coronavirus diversity, pathogenicity, tissue tropism and cross protection.

The Action’s network also reached practical solutions and recommendations for:

Besides scientific aspects, the Action actively contributed to the training of Action partners, particularly young researchers, in the field of Avian Coronaviruses via Short Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools, lectures and seminars.

The Roslin Institute involvement

The COST Action enabled me to become part of a scientific knowledge and technology exchange platform on Avian Coronaviruses through the creation of a powerful collaboration between European scientists. By bringing together scientists from academia and industry with a broad range of expertise, but all working on these viruses, we could address issues and develop connections that are unique in the field.  The collaborations have led to submission and award of H2020 proposals and other joint grants applications.

Related links

More information on the network’s achievements can be found on:

-          Action website: http://cost-controllingaviancoronaviruses.org/

-          COST Action webpage: http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/fa/FA1207

-          Reports and publications: http://cost-controllingaviancoronaviruses.org/documents/