PhD Studentship: Nottingham BBSRC DTP CASE Project
Project Title: Maedi-Visna Virus Variation in UK sheep flocks: implications for virus control
Area: Veterinary Medicine & Science
Location: UK Other
Closing Date: Friday 31 January 2025
Reference: MED2027
Research Cluster: Heat Resilient Agriculture – Sustainable Agriculture & Food
School: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
This is a collaborative project between the School of Veterinary Medicine & Science at University of Nottingham and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board beef and lamb division.
The project focuses on sequencing Maedi Visna (MV) virus isolates from UK sheep. MV is a chronic lentiviral disease of sheep causing wasting, respiratory disease, and mastitis in around 10% of UK sheep flocks. The virus is highly variable, making it difficult to use PCR-based diagnostics to detect all strains. Current control programs in the UK focus on serology testing and culling, which are failing to reduce disease impacts, with national incidence increasing.
The project will utilize cutting-edge nanopore “readfish” long-read sequencing to sequence full-length virus isolates from various tissues and clinical samples from UK sheep to determine current virus strains and whether these exhibit tissue compartmentalization (variation in individuals due to sites of virus replication).
Project methods will include training in bioinformatics, NGS pathogen sequencing, host genetic analysis, and multivariate modeling of host and virus characteristics. This project is linked to a larger UKRI/BBSRC-funded project on host genetic resistance to the virus, and the virus sequencing will also be correlated with host genetic markers to determine if host genetics influences virus variation. These results will inform the design of non-invasive (milk, nasal swab) qPCR-based testing for the virus as an adjunct to the current testing regime.
The project will include a 3-month placement at the industry partner AHDB to engage with farms and vets regarding proposed changes to the national testing and control scheme guidance before final integration and implementation of the project results into the national control program.
Please email the lead supervisor to find out more about this project.
Terms & Conditions:
Home and international students are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Funding is available for four years from October 2025. The award covers tuition fees (£4,712) at the home rate plus an annual stipend of £19,273 for 2024, set by the Research Councils.
Please note that successful international candidates will be put forward for a University Fees Difference Scholarship to cover the difference between the home and international fees.
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