Dear reader, 


Welcome to the autumn edition of our newsletter, which brings you the latest news from the Roslin Institute. 


In this issue we’ll share our latest vacancies, interviews, and news about: 

  • Gene editing 
  • Coronaviruses 
  • DNA links to resilience in fish and chickens 
  • Sustainable farming in low-income countries 


We hope you enjoy reading it and we invite you to share it with your colleagues. 


Best wishes, 

The Roslin Communications Team

 

4 Oct

Scientists back plans to progress gene editing regulations

Roslin Institute scientists have welcomed moves by the UK Government to review regulations around gene editing that could help farmers grow more resistant, nutritious, and productive crops. The plans, following a nationwide consultation on gene editing, could allow the UK to revise rules on the use of gene-editing technologies that can enable changes in an organism’s DNA, making breeding more precise and efficient. Read more

Agreement targets disease-resistant gene-edited pigs

The Roslin Institute and animal genetics company Genus have signed an agreement to produce pigs that are resistant to a respiratory disease which costs around $2.5 billion each year in the US and Europe alone. Researchers and the company hope the licensing agreement will lead the way to gene-edited, disease-resistant pigs being available to global pork-producing markets. Read more

Gene editing identifies disease resistance gene in salmon

A gene with a major role in resistance to a virus that can cause high mortality levels in farmed salmon and trout has been identified by a team of scientists. Their discovery, made using a combination of genomics and gene-editing technologies, provides insight into why some salmon are resistant and others are susceptible to Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV). Read more

Global network formed to investigate coronaviruses

A new international network brings together researchers in animal and human coronaviruses to further understanding in a range of fields, such as disease transmission and immunity. The network aims to enhance knowledge of this important virus family, to inform response strategies for future outbreaks. The UK International Coronavirus Network (UK-ICN) will facilitate collaborative research and a long term approach across human and animal health. Read more

DNA variations linked to severe Covid-19 risk

Specific variations in DNA are associated with patients developing the most severe form of Covid-19. Factors such as smoking and high body mass index also cause patients to suffer from acute disease, scientists reported. The findings partially explain why some people become seriously ill with Covid-19 and could provide targets for future therapies using repurposed drugs. The study was led by the Covid-19 Host Genetics Initiative, a collaboration involving more than 3,300 researchers and 61 studies from 25 countries, including the Roslin Institute. Read more

Major DNA region linked to disease resistance in tilapia

A specific region in the genome of Nile tilapia – a key aquaculture species that is worth nearly $10 billion globally – has a major effect on mortality levels during an outbreak of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), a study led by Roslin and WorldFish has found. Fish with specific genetic variants in this region were substantially less likely to die in an outbreak of the virus than fish without these variants. Survival rates improved by approximately one-third. By selecting parent fish for breeding based on these variants, tilapia strains with innate resistance can be developed. Read more

Environment drives DNA changes in Ethiopian chickens

The DNA of Ethiopian chickens has changed to help them adapt to local climates, a study has found. Regions of their genetic code are found to be associated with adaptation to environmental stresses. For instance, changes in DNA allow chickens living at high altitude to be more resilient to low oxygen levels and cold temperatures than those surviving in lower elevation regions. Read more

Sustainable farming in low-income countries

Livestock farming is fundamental to many livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries, where the challenges and motivations of smallholder farmers in how best to feed, care for and profit from their livestock vary from those of high-income countries. Insights into genetics, the application of gene technologies in well-designed breeding programmes, basic and creative interventions, and data can deliver great benefits. Read our blog

Professor Mick Watson on the livestock microbiome

In an interview, Professor Watson speaks about the challenges of applying bioinformatics to make sense of genes, the value of networking, and the allure of funding free of politics. Read more

Dr Tom Burdon on studying livestock in a dish

In an interview, Dr Burdon speaks about understanding different immune responses in wild and commercial pigs, and being driven by a sense of adventure in research. Read more

Job title

Salary

Closing date

Bioinformatics Research Fellow – Mammalian Gene Regulation

£34,304 - £40,927

1 Nov

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

£34,304 - £40,927

25 Oct

Quality Assurance Assistant

£23,487 - £27,116

19 Oct

Research Associate – GenOMICC

£34,304 - £40,927

14 Oct

Fellowships

    We are open to requests

                                                                                     

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