Find about recent news from across the Edinburgh Infectious Diseases network. *Register now* - Advanced Applications of Sequencing Technologies for Infectious Diseases Registration is now open for our joint mini-symposium with One Health Genomics Edinburgh. 2025 highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases January 2026: 2025 was a very busy and productive year for Edinburgh Infectious Diseases - here are some of the highlights! Moredun opens upgraded High Security Unit January 2026: Moredun Research Institute has opened its upgraded High Security Unit (HSU) following a major programme of refurbishment and sustainability works, strengthening Scotland’s role in protecting animal and public health. New cell study aids bovine TB vaccine insights January 2026: A study led by researchers from the Roslin Institute has provided insight into key immune cells in cattle which could inform the development of vaccines against bovine tuberculosis. Moredun awarded funding to help tackle major tick-borne disease in sheep January 2026: The commercialisation of a louping ill (LI) vaccine, developed at Moredun, has been awarded £450k as part of a DEFRA-funded research project, following urgent calls from hill farmers experiencing severe livestock losses. Stem cell study aids efforts to tackle African Swine Fever December 2025: Research into immune cells of domestic and wild pigs could inform measures to manage costly livestock virus. Flu’s ability to withstand fever poses major health risk December 2025: Bird flu genes could be incorporated into strains of influenza virus that are not tempered by high temperatures, study suggests. Symposium launches new Future Medicine PhD fellowships November 2025: The new Future Medicine PhD Fellowship scheme was formally launched by Prof David Argyle, head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, at a symposium focussing on the role infectious agents in chronic disease. Project to tackle urinary tract infections in low- and middle-income countries refunded for third phase World AMR Awareness Week 2025: After two successful phases, the Diagnostics for One Health and User Driven Solutions for AMR (DOSA) project has been refunded for a phase 3. Creating a Youth Manifesto for AMR - encouraging change-makers of the future World AMR Awareness Week 2025: The article describes the process of co-creating a 'Youth Manifesto on AMR' which was launched in September 2024. AMR work within the Edinburgh Infectious Diseases network World AMR Awareness Week 2025: Higlighting some of the work and activities across the network that are addressing antimicrobial resistance. New drug target identified in fight against resistant infections World AMR Awareness Week 2025: A study led by researchers from the School of Biological Sciences has suggested the discovery of a new mechanism of resistance to common antibiotics could pave the way for improved treatments for harmful bacterial infections. Research Focus: World AMR Awareness Week World AMR Awareness Week 2025: Special edition of our monthly Research Focus series to mark World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2025. #WAAW25 New PhD Fellowships will explore the role of infectious agents in chronic diseases November 2025: Thanks to a generous gift from a private donor, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine is offering four fully-funded PhD studentships to understand the relationship between infectious agents and chronic diseases. Research Focus: From the gut microbiota of Labrador puppies to regulating controversial health claims October 2025: A collection of publication highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases over the past month. Oxygen deprivation heightens risk of illness by changing genes October 2025: Low oxygen levels in the blood can alter the genetic makeup of key immune cells, weakening the body’s ability to fight infection, new research shows. Gene-edited pigs resistant to deadly viral disease developed October 2025: Researchers have created pigs that are resistant to classical swine fever (CSF), a highly infectious and often fatal disease that poses a major threat to pig farming worldwide. Solid dose vaccine protects pigs against virus October 2025: Researchers have shown that a solid dose vaccine is effective at protecting pigs against a virus and therefore is a practical alternative to conventional vaccine delivery. Research Focus: From pathogens in deer to global antimicrobial resistance policy September 2025: A collection of publication highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases over the past month. Infectious disease Professor appointed Editor-in-Chief of new microbiology journal September 2025: After an international search, Professor José Vázquez-Boland has been appointed the Editor-in-Chief of Animal Microbiology, a new journal launched by the American Society for Microbiology. Study on effectiveness of a maternal RSV vaccine gets national and international attention September 2025: A recent study involving researchers from the Centre for Inflammation Research on the effectiveness of a maternal RSV vaccine has been cited in the House of Lords, the Sun Newspaper and the UKHSA national RSV vaccination promotion materials. Former PhD student wins the Alfred Wallace Award for significant contribution to the science of entomology September 2025: Dr Arun Prakash, a Darwin Trust PhD student, has been retrospectively awarded the prestigious award from the Royal Entomological Society for his 2021 thesis ''Immune Regulation Of Disease Tolerance And Immune Priming In Drosophila'. Research Focus: From nematodes in Kenyan dairy calves to respiratory infections in mice August 2025: A collection of publication highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases over the past month. Mosquito feeding habits could influence disease spread August 2025: A recent study involving researchers from the Roslin Institute shows how feeding preference may sustain transmission of mosquito-borne viruses. Professor Gary Entrican receives Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award August 2025: Many congratulations to Professor Gary Entrican from the Roslin Institute who has received the Zoetis IUIS VIC Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award at the 14th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium. UKHSA launches metagenomic surveillance for health security August 2025: The programme is aiming to enhance detection of disease outbreaks and to provide data that can inform implementation of potential treatments or interventions. New review shows the need to focus on antibiotic resistance in the environment August 2025: A recent review has found that research into AMR in the environment needs to extend beyond wealthy countries and freshwater settings. Research Focus: From coronavirus in cats to the decline in childhood vaccine uptake July 2025: A collection of publication highlights from Edinburgh Infectious Diseases over the past month. Edinburgh researchers awarded prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh grants July 2025: Claire Moulton-Brown, Thorunn Helgason and Sarah Reece from the School of Biological Sciences and Samantha Donnellan from Edinburgh Napier University have receieved funding awards from the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) as part of a £729k investment to enable innovative research across a range of academic disciplines. Lancet One Health Commission urges global shift for sustainable health solutions July 2025: Newly published Lancet One Health Commission involving Edinburgh researchers calls for a transformative, interdisciplinary approach to tackle global health threats like infectious diseases and climate change. This article was published on 2024-08-28
