Research Project Database
Code: EMIDA21
1: EMIDA21
Title: DIFAGH - Development of immune function and avian gut health
2: DIFAGH - Development of immune function and avian gut health
Country: United Kingdom
Denmark
France
Israel
Germany
3: United Kingdom
Denmark
France
Israel
Germany
Funding Organisation: Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC)
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
French National Research Agency (ANR)
Kimron Veterinary Institute (IVSAH)
The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, Germany)
4: Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC)
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
French National Research Agency (ANR)
Kimron Veterinary Institute (IVSAH)
The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, Germany)
Animal Group: Chickens
5: Chickens
Pathogen: Salmonella spp.
Campylobacter spp.
6: Salmonella spp.
Campylobacter spp.
Disease:  
7:  
Category: Alternative control and non-infectious diseases > Gut health and feed additives
Infection, immunity and biotechnology > Fundamental/basic and Applied studies, including molecular, cellular, pathogen population dynamics and ecology > Host-Pathogen interactions (including immunomodulation and immune evasion)
8: Gut health and feed additives
Host-Pathogen interactions (including immunomodulation and immune evasion)
9: 9,57
Research Organisation: University of Oxford
Statens Serum Institut
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Lohmann Animal Health GmbH & Co
University of Hannover
University of Jerusalem
10: University of Oxford
Statens Serum Institut
Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich
INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Lohmann Animal Health GmbH & Co
University of Hannover
University of Jerusalem
Number of Research Staff (FTE):  
11:  
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr Adrian Smith, University of Oxford
12: Dr Adrian Smith, University of Oxford
Cost (Euros): 3188732
13: 3188732
End Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 31-03-2015
14: 1427756400
Duration (months): 36
15: 36
Link:  
16:  
Project objectives and deliverables with estimated delivery dates for each deliverable (if possible): The DIFAGH proposal links cutting edge technologies with gut flora modification experiments to define the contribution of microbial colonisation to the development of chicken immune capacity, resistance and transmission of infection. The programme unites efforts of experienced avian immunologists, pathogen specialists and gut flora microbiologists, forming a trans-EU team of scientists to address the complex interactions between the chicken and its microbial environment. The proposed programme of work will deliver a combination of high quality fundamental research and practical outcomes, defining a new framework for selecting pro-biotic formulations to accelerate immune development, improve poultry gut health and reduce pathogen carriage. Specifically, we will determine the effects of pro-biotic formulations of differing complexity on the development of immune capability and the outcome of infection. We will also determine the effects on colonisation, persistence and transmission of Campylobacter and Salmonella.
The studies will employ pro-biotic formulations under a variety of conditions to define how these interactions affect pathogen dynamics. We will determine the effects of microflora on development of the chicken intestinal immune system and the reciprocal impact of immunity on the microflora. Similarly, we will define the interactions between natural gut microflora, pro-biotic formulations, housing, chicken
strain and infection dynamics. Each of these areas will involve application of established and new methods to determine changes in the immune system, the gut flora and disease transmission dynamics. These analyses will be supported by in vitro approaches to determine the microbial recognition events within the bird (such as those mediated by the avian Pattern Recognition Receptor system). One
important anticipated outcome of this work will be to develop a new set of selection criteria for identifying components of defined pro-biotic formulations that can be used to promote the health of poultry and reduce the impact of infections that are pathogenic to poultry or transmitted from poultry to humans. We also expect to discover new pro-biotic components, formulations and delivery criteria that
will maximise the impact of these sustainable interventions. Delivery of these outcomes is supported by the within-programme links to industry and by employing the experienced technology transfer teams at each institution. In addition to the scientific and practical solutions for the industry the DIFAGH programme will also be a focus for recruitment and training of future generations of researchers in this field.
Project aims
1. To identify how ontogeny and gut microflora influence the temporal and spatial development of gut immunity and impact on resistance to enteric infection
2. To identify how probiotics affect resistance to infection and oral tolerance
3. To develop a rational framework for the development of new probiotic treatments
17: The DIFAGH proposal links cutting edge technologies with gut flora modification experiments to define the contribution of microbial colonisation to the development of chicken immune capacity, resistance and transmission of infection. The programme unites efforts of experienced avian immunologists, pathogen specialists and gut flora microbiologists, forming a trans-EU team of scientists to address the complex interactions between the chicken and its microbial environment. The proposed programme of work will deliver a combination of high quality fundamental research and practical outcomes, defining a new framework for selecting pro-biotic formulations to accelerate immune development, improve poultry gut health and reduce pathogen carriage. Specifically, we will determine the effects of pro-biotic formulations of differing complexity on the development of immune capability and the outcome of infection. We will also determine the effects on colonisation, persistence and transmission of Campylobacter and Salmonella.
The studies will employ pro-biotic formulations under a variety of conditions to define how these interactions affect pathogen dynamics. We will determine the effects of microflora on development of the chicken intestinal immune system and the reciprocal impact of immunity on the microflora. Similarly, we will define the interactions between natural gut microflora, pro-biotic formulations, housing, chicken
strain and infection dynamics. Each of these areas will involve application of established and new methods to determine changes in the immune system, the gut flora and disease transmission dynamics. These analyses will be supported by in vitro approaches to determine the microbial recognition events within the bird (such as those mediated by the avian Pattern Recognition Receptor system). One
important anticipated outcome of this work will be to develop a new set of selection criteria for identifying components of defined pro-biotic formulations that can be used to promote the health of poultry and reduce the impact of infections that are pathogenic to poultry or transmitted from poultry to humans. We also expect to discover new pro-biotic components, formulations and delivery criteria that
will maximise the impact of these sustainable interventions. Delivery of these outcomes is supported by the within-programme links to industry and by employing the experienced technology transfer teams at each institution. In addition to the scientific and practical solutions for the industry the DIFAGH programme will also be a focus for recruitment and training of future generations of researchers in this field.
Project aims
1. To identify how ontogeny and gut microflora influence the temporal and spatial development of gut immunity and impact on resistance to enteric infection
2. To identify how probiotics affect resistance to infection and oral tolerance
3. To develop a rational framework for the development of new probiotic treatments
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