LIVERPOOL, U.K., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's first interdisciplinary centre dedicated to the study of animal-borne diseases such as avian flu, BSE and SARS, is to be established at the University of Liverpool.
Zoonoses are diseases that originate in animals but can jump species and infect humans. Liverpool is the only university in the UK with expertise in biological sciences, medicine, veterinary science and tropical medicine and is uniquely placed to conduct detailed interdisciplinary research into these diseases.
The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded the University pounds Sterling 1.7M towards the establishment of a National Centre For Zoonosis Research. The centre, that will lead the study of some of the most deadly diseases in the modern-day world, will be based at Leahurst in Neston on the Wirral, home of the University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
The initiative is a joint venture between the Universities of Liverpool and Lancaster, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). Funding for the project follows a successful application to the Northwest Science Fund (NWSF), which was set up by the NWDA to support high-value science based projects that will improve the science and technology base in the region.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jon Saunders, said: "The new centre will build on our unique expertise in animal and human infectious disease and will further strengthen Liverpool's capability for studying infections transmitted between animals and people. The University is a major player in advancing the research base of the Northwest and in making our region an excellent location in which to undertake research that impacts on world health."
World-wide, around 75% of human emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses (infections transmissible between animals and man), yet research in this area and the advice available to governments and the public is often incomplete and sometimes contradictory. This is partly because zoonotic infections have traditionally spanned medical and veterinary responsibilities and too often have fallen into the divide between them.
Professor Malcolm Bennett, Head of the University's Department of Veterinary Pathology, who will become a co-director of the new centre, explains: "At Liverpool, we are able to take a multi-disciplinary approach to zoonotic infections and we already undertake research into zoonoses collaboratively with the HPA and the VLA. The centre will provide a core facility and focus for this work."
Researchers will carry out lab-based genetic studies, field studies of the ecology of viruses, and computer-based modeling. As well as studying the transmission and disease-causing potential of bacteria and viruses, the scientists are also keen to find out why some individuals -- animal and human -- are more vulnerable than others to certain diseases.
Professor of Medical Microbiology in the University's Faculty of Medicine, and co-director, Tony Hart, said: "Our priorities will include the bacteria Campylobacter and E coli O157 -- we will be studying the way they move from the animal to the human population via the food chain. We'll also be looking at the role of wildlife and companion animals -- we know some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans by birds, rodents and even family animals such as dogs and cats."
Scientists at the centre will also provide consultancy services to governments and industry on zoonotic diseases and develop training programmes in the prevention and control of zoonotic infections.
Liverpool
University ofCONTACT: Beth Brophy, Public Relations for University of Liverpool,+1-773-248-6128, Mobile, +1-1-773-895-5387, bbrophy@vagusagency.com ; or,Kate Spark, Media Relations Manager, +0151 794 2247, Mobile, +07970 247391,kate.spark@liv.ac.uk ; Joanna Robotham, Press Officer, +0151 794 2026,Mobile, +07970 247396, joanna.robotham@liv.ac.uk ; Samantha Martin,Assistant Press Officer, +0151 794 2248, Mobile, +07970 247836,samantha.martin@liv.ac.uk , all of University of Liverpool
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