Award details

Epidemiology and systems biology of farm animal diseases

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001444
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Simon Gubbins
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	595,019
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2009
End date	31/03/2012
Duration	33 months

Abstract

The work of the Mathematical Biology group (MBG) will focus on the epidemiology of farm animal diseases, with particular reference to bluetongue (BT) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The MBG will also develop collaborations in systems biology and provide support on mathematical and statistical issues within the Institute. Epidemiology of vector-borne diseases: The MBG will continue to lead work on the development of models for the spread and control of BT virus, but will also seek to extend these studies to other relevant virus and vector systems, for example, African horse sickness or West Nile Fever. Furthermore, we will use these models to investigate how the risk to the UK of vector-borne disease may be influenced by environmental change. Epidemiology of FMD: The MBG will develop models for the transmission of FMD virus (FMDV) within farms, which will link the results of transmission experiments with data on the contact structures for different livestock species within holdings to better understand the epidemiology of FMDV at the farm scale. We will also develop models for FMDV to inform both transmission risk (e.g. via airborne spread) and the impact of control. Systems biology: Opportunities for developing projects in systems biology will be explored. Initially, this will involve studies of the dynamics of FMDV in the bovine epithelium, but, in collaboration with the Bioinformatics group, we will actively seek to instigate collaborations with experimental scientists working in the Avian and Livestock Infectious Diseases programmes. Consultancy and training: The MBG will provide consultancy and training in mathematical modelling and statistics, including: an advisory service to other groups in the Institute to ensure that external modelling collaborations are appropriate; statistical support in the Institute through the provision of ad hoc advice on experimental design and analysis; and formal and informal training for PhD students and staff.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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