Issue 32 Spring 2010
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From Microscopes to Genomes: Moredun celebrates 90th Anniversary
It was a small group of forward thinking Scottish farmers who formed the Animal Diseases Research Association in 1920 to help provide solutions to improve the health of their livestock.
Some things have altered though: a changing climate, increased movements of animals and food products as well as changes in agricultural practices present an increasing danger to livestock and people from both endemic and emerging pathogens.
This group established their own research institute and employed vets and scientists to develop effective control and prevention solutions for a range of infectious diseases that were having a devastating effect on livestock at that time. This unique partnership of farming and scientific expertise grew and developed, and 90 years on is now the internationally recognised Moredun Group. Based at Pentlands Science Park on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Moredun’s governing boards still include both farmers and scientists, thus maintaining this working partnership that has over the years developed solutions to control many of the most important livestock diseases both in the UK and Worldwide.
Scientists at Moredun today are using and developing innovative technologies in genetics and immunology to enable the rapid detection of pathogens and to understand how the pathogens cause disease. Researchers are also looking at how livestock may be able to resist infection in order to develop new solutions for disease control. A thriving bioscience park is currently established with Moredun at its centre and many of Moredun’s discoveries have been commercialised providing real economic benefits to producers and society at large. Moredun’s unique and well established example of a public-private partnership involving cost and responsibility sharing between governments and stakeholders is a real blueprint for success and we
look forward to celebrating our 90th anniversary with all our members and supporters at various events over the coming year.
In this Issue Worm vaccine trials begin .................................. 3 Scottish sheep survey results ................................. 4 Moredun’s expansion plans revealed ................... 5 Scientists boost farming knowledge ......................... 6 Forthcoming Events ......... 6 Moredun Awards .............. 7
Editor’s Comments Best wishes to all our members and supporters for 2010. And it is a big year for Moredun as this will be our 90th Anniversary. A lot has happened since 1920 and over these 90 years Moredun science has contributed enormously to the health and welfare of farmed livestock. I am happy to report that it is even stronger going into this new decade. Endemic diseases are the scourge of livestock farmers; they cause misery for animals and farmers alike. At Moredun we have been combating these diseases through science aimed at developing new, or improving existing vaccines and creating novel diagnostics. Worm vaccines have been a specific target for a long time and exciting new findings have provided a route through to producing highly effective and affordable vaccines which are now being trialed in a number of locations worldwide. Understanding how a disease spreads and/or persists is very important as it provides essential information for control strategies. Jaagseitke is a disease which is now in the spotlight for precisely this reason. The findings of the recent surveillance survey will help us to provide sound advice for farmers in coping with this disease. Last but not least is my reminder that we depend on support from our members and the public to achieve our charitable aims. Your subscriptions, purchases of merchandise and donations are crucial to our existence.
Professor Willie Donachie Deputy Director of Moredun
The Next Big Thing in Animal Sciences Over sixty Scottish researchers met at Moredun recently to discuss the future of animal sciences at “The Nexxt Big Thing in Animal Sciences.” The event was held by Nexxus, the networking organisation for life scientists in central Scotland in conjunction with Edinburgh Science Triangle and featured talks by senior figures from Moredun, the Roslin Institute, Genesis Faraday and Charles River Laboratories. The evening focused on the opportunities for Scotland to be a global leader in
animal health science and to address challenges such as the world’s growing demand for food. At this event Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director and Chief Executive of Moredun spoke about her thoughts for the future of livestock science. During her presentation Professor Fitzpatrick stressed “I believe that it is vital that future animal science research emphasises on the targeted surveillance of disease and vaccine development.”
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick - guest speaker
For more information about NEXXUS visit www.nexxusscotland.com
Moredun Strengthens Strategic Alliances In May 2006 Moredun and the University of Glasgow entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU has allowed the already strong partnership to be enhanced and there are now established scientific collaborations leading to several joint scientific publications and successful funding applications being produced. The MoU has also boosted the educational and teaching activities of both organisations. During 2009 a summer placement student worked at both centres and Moredun hosted a visit of the third and fourth year Glasgow vet undergraduates. Postgraduate development has also been enhanced by the MoU and
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several PhD students are now co-supervised by staff at both organisations. Glasgow Vet School and Moredun have also agreed to jointly fund a PhD studentship in 2009 and Bart Szafran joined Moredun in October to look at developing novel technologies for combating viral diseases of livestock. A group of 30 scientists from a wide range of disciplines across the two organisations participated in a Future Opportunities workshop held in Dunkeld in December. This event encouraged participants to generate innovative ideas for new collaborations in the future. Moredun also announced in October
its support of the formation of the New Institute; a result of a merger between the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee and the Macaulay Land use Research Institute in Aberdeen. Although Moredun will remain an independent organisation, it will be known as an affiliated Research Institute of the New Institute in recognition of the joint aims of all three organisations to provide scientific outputs of international quality.
Worm Vaccine trials begin in Australia cientists at Moredun are one step closer to developing a vaccine against the most important gut worm to infest sheep and goats in the world.
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The vaccine against Haemonchus contortus, a blood sucking roundworm commonly known as the Barbers Pole worm, is currently being trialled in Australia and, if successful, will be the first roundworm gut parasite vaccine ever developed.
Ten Years On: Worm Control in Sheep Survey It has been ten years since Moredun first gathered information on the strategies and management practices of UK sheep producers in the treatment and control of parasitic infections. We would like to find out if opinions and approaches have changed over the last decade and would like to ask sheep producers to take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire that is enclosed with this publication. All information supplied will remain anonymous. Many thanks for your help.
In order to satisfy their quarantine rules, David Smith, a principal scientist at Moredun flew to Australia last year and produced a batch of the vaccine from Australian grown worms. This is currently being tested in grazing lambs there. If the trial is successful, plans are in place to start making a commercial vaccine in Australia in collaboration with local scientists. Early indications suggest that the same H. contortus vaccine may also be useful for cattle in the tropics which commonly become infested with Haemonchus placei, a relative of H. contortus. This trial is being run by collaborators in Brazil where there are some 180 million cattle, most of which are infected. Moredun also plans to evaluate the vaccine in grazing goats in South Africa in the very near future. In Africa and Asia the goat is at least as important as the sheep and a recent comprehensive survey of livestock diseases affecting poor farmers in those continents ranked Haemonchosis in the top 20. If this goat trial is successful, it is hoped to link up with a charity like GALVmed whose role is to support vaccine manufacture for third world farmers.
Is a vaccine for Haemonchus Contortus on the horizon?
Thank You As a registered charity Moredun is indebted to donations from its members and supporters to help ensure that vital areas of our work can continue. Special thanks must go to the following organisations, all of whom have made donations to Moredun in the last twelve months. Their support is greatly appreciated. •
Border Union Agricultural Society
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Buckland Charitable Trust
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Duchy College
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EL Fleming Trust
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Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales)
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J & JR Wilson Trust
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Janssen Animal Health
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Novartis Animal Health
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Perth Ram Society
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Pfizer Animal Health
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Quality Meat Scotland
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Romsey Agricultural & Horse Show Society
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Scottish Wildlife Trust Aberfeldy Branch
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VetsWest
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Volac International Limited
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Welsh Assembly Government
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Trials at Moredun have shown that the vaccine they have developed is 80-90% successful at protecting against Haemonchus. The parasite prefers warm, humid climates and so is particularly prevalent in the tropics and sub-tropics. However, thanks possibly to climate change, it has also recently been described as an emerging UK disease. Drug resistant strains of Haemonchus are commonplace in countries like Australia where the parasite is the bane of many sheep graziers.
Moredun has been trying to develop a vaccine for this gut parasite for over a decade. Crucially, the most recent Moredun experiments showed that the dose of vaccine needed was very low, so low that it should be possible to make the vaccine commercially simply by extracting it from adult gut worms. Large numbers of parasites are required to make the millions of doses needed for the Australian market alone, but these can be readily obtained by deliberately infecting donor sheep which are subsequently processed by an abattoir in the usual way. The infected stomachs (which are normally discarded) are collected and processed by a special machine designed by Moredun to rapidly harvest clean worms at the pace of the abattoir. The parasites can then be frozen until enough have accumulated to make a large batch of the vaccine; a million doses is about 10 days work for one scientist.
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Study highlights Endemic Diseases in Scottish Sheep oredun has recently taken part in a major surveillance project to try to determine the prevalence of five important viral diseases in sheep around Scotland.
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This study which also involved SAC, The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and BioSS, was funded by the Scottish Government and involved blood sampling 125 sheep flocks selected at random across Scotland. These blood samples were then screened by Moredun to look for evidence of infection with Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA or Jaasiekte), louping ill, border disease and parainfluenza 3. SAC also screened the samples to look for evidence of infection with maedi visna. The data collected has given researchers a unique insight into prevalence of the major viral conditions in Scottish sheep flocks and will help them develop practical control programmes. Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinona (OPA) is an infectious lung disease of sheep. It is caused by a virus (JRSV) that induces lung cancer and causes an overproduction of fluid in the lungs
and always results in the death of the infected animal. Using a blood test developed at Moredun JSRV was found in 38% of flocks tested, however only 12% of farmers were aware that their sheep were infected, which presents a high risk to the spread of the disease into new flocks. Border Disease affects the fertility of ewes and can lead to abortions, stillbirths and the birth of small weak ‘hairy shaker’ lambs. A third of the flocks tested showed exposure to BDV, the virus that causes border disease. This disease has a lasting impact on flock productivity as some lambs in the exposed flocks may be born persistently infected with BDV and although they look healthy, they will shed the virus for the rest of their life, infecting other sheep in the existing flock, or any new flock they are moved into. Louping Ill is an acute viral disease transmitted by ticks which affects the brain of sheep and other animals. It causes varying signs of in-coordination, paralysis, convulsions and death. Evidence of past infection was detected on 23% of the flocks tested and these flocks tended to be located in the hill
OPA leads to the overproduction of fluid in the lungs
areas of Northern Scotland in areas of high tick numbers. Maedi Visna is a chronic viral disease of sheep and goats. Infection with this contagious disease leads to pneumonia and wasting and can also reduce fertility. Presence of the retrovirus that causes Maedi Visna was only seen at a low level throughout Scotland, and no virus was detected in the Northern Isles. These low levels were probably attributable to the success of the national MV accreditation scheme. Para-Influenza 3 virus was confirmed in 96% of the flocks tested. Although this virus rarely causes serious disease on its own, it can lead to serious pneumonia and death in sheep and lambs when it combines with other infections like pasteurellosis.
Work Shadowing Scheme Improves Communication In August last year ten scientists from around Scotland left their laboratories to find out firsthand how their science is used in government policy making. The week long Work Shadowing Scheme was organised by Moredun as part of the knowledgescotland initiative. The project gave scientists from Scottish Research Institutes the opportunity to shadow policy makers and advisors in the Scottish Government and learn more about how their research may inform future policy decisions. Both the scientists and the policy representatives who took part reported that they had found the placement beneficial. At the end of
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the week, the scientists had gained a better understanding of policy making and had established personal contacts within the Scottish Government. The hosts reported that the scientists made a valuable contribution to their day to day work. Dr Frank Katzer, was one of the scientists who took part in the scheme. He commented: “I got far more out of it than I thought I would. It was fascinating to see the development of an idea for legislation, getting all the interested parties together, and then implementing it.” Professor Maggie Gill, Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs and the
Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for the Environment chats to Dr Frank Katzer
Environment, was very enthusiastic about the Scheme: "Working together to achieve a common purpose is a key principle of the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework and work-shadowing is an excellent way of learning how to do that effectively."
Pentlands Science Park unveils expansion plans Pentlands Science Park (PSP), home of the Moredun Group, has announced plans to extend their site. The world renowned science park, which opened in 1995, has attracted over 20 commercial companies to relocate to its site and the park has been over 95% occupied since 2002. This success has led Moredun to consider a Phase 2 expansion plan. 20 acres of Moredun’s New Milton Farm, which adjoins the science park, was adopted in the Midlothian Local Plan in 2008 for biotechnology development. An outline planning application for this land was submitted by PSP and passed by Midlothians Council’s Planning Committee in December.
Pentlands Science Park is set in an attractive rural location
Moredun now hopes to prepare a detailed planning application for the first new building in Phase 2 which is likely to be a multi-occupation building suitable for SME’s (small to medium enterprises) in the biotechnology sector.
“Pentlands Science Park has been very successful over the last 15 years with consistently high occupancy rates and around 450 people employed on the site. The grant of the outline planning consent is an important first step towards growing the park to provide additional accommodation for existing and new tenants, predominantly involved in the life science sector.”
George Walker, Site Manager of PSP, is very excited about the park’s expansion plans. He commented,
With the existing presence of Moredun, along with the nearby development of the new Roslin
Institute building and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science and SAC, the Bush Estate area will become one of the leading global centres for animal research. This synergy is likely to create future commercial spin out companies and attract new companies to the area. Additionally, Pentlands Science Park and Moredun are stakeholders in the Edinburgh Science Triangle initiative which seeks to raise Edinburgh’s profile as a world a world leading location for science and technology.
Moredun ranks in top 2% by independent assessors Moredun Research Institute is celebrating after being awarded silver award from Investors in People Scotland. Moredun is one of only 50 organisations in Scotland to achieve this award, and is also the first Scottish research institute to reach this standard. Investors in People (IIP) aims to improve the performance of organisations by assessing current processes in order to highlights potential areas for improvement. There are 28,000 organisations in the UK which have currently achieved Investors in People recognition. Of those, less than 2% (just 327) have been awarded silver
standard or above. In 2009, Moredun participated in the ‘New Choices’ scheme, a rigorous review process designed for organizations who want to work beyond The Standard and hopefully achieve Bronze, Silver or even Gold awards. After a three week assessment, Moredun was thrilled to be awarded with Investors in People silver status.
sustained commitment to supporting people’s learning and development needs in order to improve performance in its pursuit of excellence.”
Lesley Banks, the independent assessor who undertook the review reported that Moredun was a credit to the Investors in People standard. She commented “This review shows that Moredun clearly exceeds the standard recognition. Of particular note is Moredun’s very strong and
Lilian Haire, HR Manager at Moredun was delighted with the outcome of this assessment. She said “The award is tremendously important as it recognizes the value that we place on our staff and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement."
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Farmers award Full Marks for Moredun’s Roadshow Attendees of Moredun’s 2009 Animal Health Roadshow awarded full marks to the Moredun speakers for their knowledge and quality of presentations. Moredun has been running an annual animal health roadshow since 1995. The 2009 roadshow consisted of ten meetings held throughout the UK between 9-26 November and covered subjects such as tick diseases, calf pneumonia, Johne’s disease, liver fluke, worm control and BVD. The introduction of feedback forms was just one of the changes introduced to help Moredun continue to develop and improve its events in the future. The feedback forms revealed that 78% of those who attended the meetings were farmers, with half of the respondents reporting that they had heard about the event from their vet. Interestingly only 22% of those who completed the survey forms were Moredun members but as 87% of attendees thought that that the speaker’s knowledge of the subject was excellent and a perfect 100% of
those surveyed said that their knowledge had been increased due to attending the event – we hope that these events will attract new members. Other changes to the roadshow included the involvement of vets from local VI centres or vet practices, who shared the stage with Moredun and gave a local perspective to disease control discussions. An interactive quiz element was also added to some of the meetings in order to collate audience perceptions and understanding about controlling certain animal health problems. Moredun was delighted to secure CPD accreditation for vets and SQPs (Suitably qualified persons) for its roadshow events. This achievement is particularly important as it will help ensure that the latest animal health information is reaching not just the farmers, but those they turn to for advice and information about disease control on their own farms.
Farming Initiative takes Moredun Scientists Back to Basics During last Summer Moredun organised a series of visits to local livestock markets, abattoirs, and sheep, beef dairy and organic farms for Moredun scientists who wished to learn more about livestock production. Although world renowned for their work in livestock health, many of Moredun’s scientists do not come from a veterinary or farming background. As a result they were keen to learn more about the livestock industry and see how the outputs of their research can be practically applied on farm. During these visits Moredun scientists developed their knowledge about the farming calendar and the day to day practicalities of running a farm. Over 100 scientists attended these visits and reported that they found the trips interesting and beneficial.
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Over 600 farmers attended the 2009 Roadshow
Upcoming Events Moredun is committed to engaging with a range of different audiences in order to communicate its science. We will be exhibiting at the following events over the next few months – please visit our website (www.moredun.org.uk/events) for further details of these and many other events we will be attending throughout the year. International Science Festival Wednesday 7 – Friday 9 April Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Beef Expo Wednesday 27 May Hexham, Northumberland Scot Sheep Wednesday 2 June Blairdrummond, Stirlingshire Royal Highland Show Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 June Ingliston, Edinburgh Sheep 2010 Tuesday 2 August Malvern, Worcestershire
Scientists were keen to learn from farmers
Many claimed that the visits have helped them engage with farmers and vets and that they will now be able to discuss the relevance of their work with more confidence. Margaret Oliver is a research scientist working in worm vaccine development and was full of praise for the initiative. She commented “It was very interesting to talk to the farmers and get their point of view about disease control, as well as seeing how the industry works and all the challenges that farmers face.”
Recording Breaking Christmas Sales Moredun would like to thank everyone who purchased Christmas cards and gifts from The Foundation in the run up to Christmas last year. Income from sales topped £5000 and we saw a record boost in profits as a result. Remember that Moredun merchandise, including farming books, gifts and leisurewear can be purchased all year round from our secure payment website at www.moredun.org.uk/shop and every penny raised will help support Moredun’s work.
Moredun News Moredun Director awarded MBE
Moredun appoints new Vice-President
Honorary Fellowship Awarded
Farmer and Moredun Research Institute (MRI) director Ian Duncan Millar has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours List for his services to agriculture.
Scotland’s largest landowner, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, has been appointed the new Honorary Vice President of the Moredun Foundation at its AGM in 2009.
The Moredun Foundation was delighted to award an Honorary Fellowship to Dr David Buxton at its AGM in 2009. Dr David Buxton retired as Head of Pathology and Surveillance at Moredun in September 2008.
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of Moredun was delighted by the news. She commented, “Ian Duncan Millar is an outstanding farmer and businessman and has made a significant input in the governance of MRI over the last 7 years. We at Moredun are delighted that his dedication to UK agriculture has been recognised in this way”.
The Buccleuch family has had a long association with Moredun. The current Duke’s great grandfather, the 7th Duke of Buccleuch was appointed the first Honorary President of the Animal Diseases Research Association (the original name of the Moredun Foundation) when it was formed in 1920. His grandfather and his father then went on to take the position until the 9th Duke passed away in September 2007. Speaking after the AGM, John Ross, Chairman of the Moredun Foundation commented: “I am delighted that his Grace has accepted the position of honorary vice president. This continues a long association between the Buccleuch family and Moredun.”
Three new board members for Moredun
Prof. Charles Milne
Sir Muir Russell
Mr Andy Robb
Moredun Research Institute has welcomed two new members to its board at its AGM: Professor Charles Milne, Director of the Food Standards Agency (Scotland) and Sir Muir Russell, recently retired Principal of the University of Glasgow. Speaking at the AGM, John Jeffrey, Chairman of the MRI was delighted to welcome both to the board; “Sir Muir Russell and Professor Milne are both extremely respected people not only in their own business sectors but also throughout Scotland and indeed
further afield. They will bring a wealth of experience to our board meetings in order to help keep the Moredun Research Institute as a world leader in animal health and welfare and a unique resource to Scotland”. The Moredun Foundation has also appointed Mr Andy Robb to its board. Mr Robb recently retired as Director and Chief Agricultural officer of the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate within the Scottish Government. Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation commented, “I very much look forward to working with Andy Robb. Livestock science is increasingly important to the Scottish economy and our board members provide essential advice on all aspects of our activities”.
At the ceremony John Ross, Chairman of the Moredun Foundation, praised Dr Buxton for his contribution, not just to the work of Moredun, but to the livestock industry as a whole. He said “David has a wealth of knowledge on the diseases that affect sheep, cattle and deer and both Moredun and the global livestock industry have benefited greatly from David’s efforts over the years.”
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Ian has been involved in farming since the mid-seventies. As well as running a large arable, beef and sheep farm near Aberfeldy, he also manages a hill farm south of Loch Tay. Ian is Chairman of Highland Glen Lamb marketing group, a Director of the National Fallen Stock Company and is currently the President of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association and has been a director of MRI since 2002.
National literary prize awarded to Moredun scientist A review article written by a Moredun scientist has been awarded a literary prize from an international veterinary journal. George Russell’s review of Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) was considered the best paper received in 2009 by the editors of The Veterinary Journal. MCF is a fatal viral disease of cattle and other susceptible species. The paper reviewed what is currently known about the disease, as well as research being conducted to develop improved diagnostic tests, therapy options and a vaccine to protect animals against this disease. Andrew Higgins, Editor in Chief of The Veterinary Journal remarked, “This review was excellent, not just in its structure, content and stateof-the-art science, but also in its ability to be both interesting and understandable for non-specialists.”
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Moredun Foundation News Sheet Book - VOLUME 4 The Moredun Foundation has just launched the latest volume of news sheets in book form. The paperback book has over 180 pages and contains twenty of Moredun’s latest technical news sheets on subjects including Johne’s disease, BVD, cattle pneumonia, sheep abortion, ectoparasite control and sheep lameness. The Volume Four News Sheet Book is available to members at just £15.00 plus £1.00 postage and
Now AvAilA
ble
packing and is available to buy from Moredun’s website – www.moredun.org.uk/shop Alternatively, you can order a copy by post. Send a cheque for £16.00 made payable to ‘The Moredun Foundation’ to: The Moredun Foundation Pentlands Science Park Bush Loan Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: info@moredun.org.uk
News Sheets 1-20 Volume 4
Moredun Foundation News Sheet Books Books of previous sets of new sheets can be purchased for £15.00 each (plus £1 p&p).
Volume 3 Book: Titles include CLA, lameness, sheep scab, worm control strategies, liver fluke and orf.
Volume 1 Book: Subjects include Jaagsiekte, Watery Mouth, Detection and Treatment of Hypothermia, Border Disease and Footrot.
Volume 2 Book: News sheet topics include Maedi Visna, Pasteurellosis, Scrapie, Effective Ectoparasite Control and Ovine Abortion.
For a full list of articles in each news sheet book please visit our website at www.moredun.org.uk/shop Books can be purchased online, or by contacting us at the address below.
Please send orders to: The Moredun Foundation, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ Tel: 0131 445 5111 Fax: 0131 445 6235 Email: info@moredun.org.uk