Researchers from the UK, Ireland, and the EU form all-island project to tackle bovine TB

Collaboration to study host immune response to tackle persistent TB infection in cattle. Project to develop multidisciplinary ‘immunology hub’ plan for all-island approach. Researchers from the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast and the AgriFood and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) have partnered with experts from University College Dublin (UCD) in a concerted bid to understand the immunology of bovine TB (bTB), particularly the role that nutrition and Vitamin D might play, on an all-island basis for the first time. It is estimated that TB infected herds have a 30-40% chance of a repeat breakdown within three years due to a relapse of infection on farms on both sides of the Irish border. UK, Irish and EU goals to eradicate bTB cannot be met without an intensified focus on the reasons behind recurring infection, experts say. This project, which will explore the role of Vitamin D in the animals’ immune response, has been funded by the Irish ...