Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in agrifood and the environment at the human-animal-ecosystems interface: resistance, persistence and longevity

Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester

Dr John Pearl

Applications accepted all year round

Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Second Supervisor: Dr Marie Kirby, Agriculture and Environment, Harper Adams University

Project Outline

Environmentally resident mycobacteria are important animal pathogens known to infect cattle, pigs, fowl, sheep and most other commercially valuable livestock. These mycobacteria also cause infection and disease in wildlife including birds, deer and other animals found near agricultural activities, the consequence of which is an increased risk of animal-ecosystem cross exposure, infection and establishment of disease-endemic locations. As animal pathogens, the genus Mycobacterium encompasses a range of species that cause distinct disease depending on the infected animal: gastrointestinal Johne's Disease in cattle, avian tuberculosis in chicken and pulmonary bovine tuberculosis in farmed pigs, wild boar, deer and other animals. In each of these species, there is a proven link between animal manure-contaminated soil and water with infection leading to subsequent disease. Since stored manure is often used to amend soils or as feedstock for anaerobic digestion, the risk of pathogenic amplification through these and other agricultural activities is unknown. This knowledge gap is important because these organisms exist at the intersection of animal-ecosystem-human activities, where the potential for cross-species agricultural and wild animal transmission is significant. Because of this, environmental mycobacteria constitute an emerging risk to agribusiness and to environmental security.

Based on work in my research group, we have developed a new insight into the metabolic and bioenergetic capacity of environmental mycobacteria from which we hypothesize that specific environmental conditions can lead to the development of bacterial phenotypes which may strengthen their association with soil, plants and crops leading to increased risk of infection for farmed and wild animals. We seek to test this hypothesis using a range of animal-origin materials with laboratory and field investigations, in collaboration with a transdisciplinary team of world-leading experts.

Training opportunities

This project is intended for a self-funded or sponsored student who has interest in working with a multidisciplinary supervisory team to build broad competency in biomedical techniques as well as a diverse range of soil- and agriculture-based methods. You can expect to spend time with experts in soil sciences and soil chemistry, animal sciences and microbiology while acquiring new skills and experience. From this basis, you’ll be supported in developing a strong thesis research plan from which we expect you to author at least one peer-reviewed manuscript. Along the way, you’ll build scientific relationships that will help you launch your career.

Enquiries

Project Enquiries to john.e.pearl@leicester.ac.uk

To apply please refer to

https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/respiratory-sciences