The wider impact of our research

The veterinary research conducted at Glasgow, within our research Institutes and the School of Veterinary Medicine, has had lasting impacts in animal welfare industry and charities, global health bodies and government policymakers and a broad range of commercial industry. This has been made possible by working with stakeholders in veterinary biotech & pharmaceutical industry, veterinarians and farmers nationally and internationally. Our scientists and clinicians have provided consultancy, contract research and collaborative research that has delivered research findings into real world solutions. As part of the 2014 UK-wide Research Excellence Framework the impact of our research on the economy and society was assessed, with 82% of our submission being judged as outstanding (4*).

You can read more about some of our Glasgow-wide veterinary impacts and engagement with industry in the case studies below.

Key impacts

International policy and strategies in rabies control

Wed, 02 Jul 2014 10:24:00 BST

Our Glasgow rabies research team have played important roles in international development, leading directly to major changes in policy, influencing decisions made by government health and veterinary authorities internationally.

Enhanced productivity in the egg industry

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:22:00 BST

Research conducted in our Institute has helped the UK egg-laying industry, by driving substantial improvements in productivity and bird welfare.

Risk-based surveillance and testing defines government policy on bovine tuberculosis

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:49:00 BST

Our research has developed a revised surveillance model for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) that underpins a new Scottish Government policy on bTB testing in Scotland. This has exempted 30% of Scottish herds from routine testing, with savings to Government of £150,000/year and a further £100,000 across the farming industry.

ABCD FeLV fact sheet
ABCD FeLV fact sheet

Developing technologies for the control of viral diseases in cats

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 18:19:00 GMT

In Europe, over 30 million domestic cats are vaccinated each year against three core virus infections. Research performed by the University of Glasgow has made a significant contribution to controlling the major feline viral diseases, supported by industrial collaborations.

Veterinary Medicine students with a dog
Veterinary Medicine students with a dog

Assessing acute pain in dogs

Sun, 14 Dec 2014 18:06:00 GMT

Pain and the resulting reduction in quality of life are both subjective experiences unique to each individual and animal. In animals, assessing pain is even more challenging because of the inherent communication difficulties and because different animals and species have varying responses to pain.

Current industry engagement

EPIC
EPIC

EPIC centre of expertise in animal disease outbreaks

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:33:00 GMT

Researchers from across the College are involved in a strategic science advisory role to the Scottish Government together with partner Institutions across Scotland as part of EPIC Centre of Expertise in Animal Disease Outbreaks. EPIC brings together a substantial body of epidemiological expertise to address the risks of, and response to, animal disease outbreaks.

bluetongue virus
bluetongue virus

Development of a vaccine for bluetongue virus

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:24:00 GMT

With the support of a BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award, Prof Palmarini has been working in collaboration with Merial Animal Health on a synthetic biology approach for a vaccine platform against known and newly emerging serotypes of Bluetongue Virus.

Tilapia fish
Tilapia fish

Host adaptation of an emerging pathogen in fish

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:57:00 GMT

In a multi-institutional collaboration, Prof. Ruth Zadoks has combined team expertise in epidemiology of multi-host pathogens and molecular bacteriology with expertise in aquaculture to investigate the potential host adaptation of an emerging pathogen in fish.

Cute-Egg, improvement of eggshell cuticle quality to reduce vertical transmission of zoonotic and pathogenic organisms

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:19:00 GMT

Work between Prof Maureen Bain, collaborators at Edinburgh University and two industrial partners are investigating ways to improve the cuticle covering of eggs. The cuticle, a protein-rich layer on the outer surface of the egg, forms the first line of defence to the penetration of bacteria from the environment into the egg.

Cow
Cow

Biomarkers of wellbeing & disease in production and companion animals

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:30:00 GMT

Our research is investigating biomarkers that can be used as a measure of wellbeing and disease in production and companion animals, which are being developed into tests in collaborative work with industry.