February 2025: Dr Prerna Vohra from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Dr Gemma Langridge from the Quadram Institute, have been awarded funding to investigate a dangerous bacterial strain of Salmonella often found in cattle. Salmonella enterica serotype Dublin (S. Dublin) is a type of salmonella that primarily infects cattle The grant will fund research to explore the genetic and phenotypic variations within Salmonella Dublin (S.Dublin). The aim is to understand more about how the bacteria causes disease in cattle and humans and what that means for food safety and public health. Cutting edge techniques The research will use cutting-edge genome sequencing and phenotyping techniques to investigate the genetic factors that contribute to the invasive nature of S. Dublin in both cattle and humans. S. Dublin is a zoonotic pathogen that poses a significant threat to both animal and human health. It is particularly concerning due to its high invasiveness and increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research aims to provide insights that will aid the development of effective surveillance, control programmes and potential vaccines. Strategic priorities The project is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and aligns with BBSRC’s strategic priorities to combat zoonoses and improve food safety. The total funding awarded was £1,159,625. This grant will be instrumental in improving global One Health by enhancing our understanding of the virulence mechanisms of Salmonella Dublin. This will ultimately contribute to better surveillance, control measures and the development of innovative interventions to protect both animal and human health. Prerna Vohra Lecturer in Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences Related links Prerna VohraGemma LangridgeSchool of Biological SciencesQuadram InstituteBBRSC Publication date 24 Feb, 2025
