ZINCLESS
News
Roslin Foundation Studentship Application Now Live!
We have an exciting Roslin Foundation studentship opportunity aligned to the ZINCLESS project, with the advert, closing on the 13th Februray 2026, now live for applications via FindAPhD. We are seeking an excellent candidate to investigate the impact of ZnO removal from piglet diet on the composition and development of the faecal microbiome and resistome. The candidate will receive expert training in a range of microbiological, molecular and bioinformatic techniques, equipping them with cutting-edge skills essential for a future career in genomics and microbiome research. This four year studentship is based within Deborah Hoyle’s lab, with Roslin co-supervisor Adrian Muwonge and external supervisors Muna Anjum (APHA) and Maria Costa (SRUC). This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team looking at the real-world impact of policy change on biological measures of disease and antimicrobial resistance in livestock systems.
The second ZINCLESS Newsletter is circulated
This second newsletter provides an update on project progress to participating farms. It features a spotlight on the work being carried out at Queen’s University Belfast (WP2), reports on the project’s second whole-team meeting and, as the on-farm sample collection comes to an end, reflects on the work involved. Adjusting to the withdrawal of ZnO is identified in RUMA's recent Target Task Force 3 as among the challenges facing the UK pig sector and, with these samples, the ZINCLESS team are conducting a detailed analysis of the impacts on post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD), gut health, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) following ZnO withdrawal. Read the newsletter here.
2nd annual ZINCLESS whole-team meeting, QUB
Piglet health at weaning is impacted by diverse factors; investigating the consequences of zinc oxide withdrawal at this critical life stage therefore requires input from a range of disciplines. The annual ZINCLESS project meeting provides an important opportunity for our multi-disciplinary team to come together, review progress, and share ideas. This October 2025, Queen’s University Belfast hosted the 2nd annual ZINCLESS whole-team, hybrid meeting. The meeting explored the relationships between epidemiology, microbiology, and microbiome influences on post-weaning diarrhoea. As well as the warm welcome and generous hospitality that Queen’s is known for, those attending in person enjoyed a guided tour of the University’s new laboratory facilities.​
(Pictured L-R in the foyer of the Biological Sciences building, Jade Davies, APHA; Jas Tiwana, APHA; Christina Mulvenna, AFBI; Abel Bulamu Ekiri, University of Surrey; Andrew Bease, Roslin Institute; Muna Anjum, APHA; Chris Creevey, QUB; Deborah Hoyle, Roslin Institute; Ilias Kyriazakis, QUB; Linda Oyama, QUB; Sam Beechener, SRUC; and Yasmin Sabino, QUB)
Our first podcast episode: Interview with Grace Webster
In this short interview, Grace Webster, Chair of the Pig Health and Welfare Council’s Antimicrobial Usage sub-group, emphasises the sector’s ongoing commitment to reducing antimicrobial use (AMU). The important role of the electronic medicines book (EMB) is highlighted and changes in AMU following the UK’s withdrawal of ZnO in June 2024 are discussed. Looking ahead, we hear about plans for an ongoing programme of support with increased attention on biosecurity, support for on-farm diagnostics and a dedicated PhD studentship. Listen to the podcast on YouTube.
Emilie Dewever presents at the Edinburgh Infectious Disease Symposium
In May 2025, Emilie took part in the Edinburgh Infectious Diseases 14th Annual Symposium. Along with attending talks on various infectious disease topics, Emilie presented a poster with the findings of her research placement in Deborah Hoyle's group, looking at the impact of therapeutic zinc supplementation on the carriage of multi-drug resistance in E. coli strains in weaner piglets.
Andrew Bease presents at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference
Andrew attended the Microbiology Society Annual Conference in Liverpool at the beginning of April and presented a poster detailing our findings about the presence of ETEC and Rotavirus in weaner piglets before the introduction of the UK ZnO ban. The conference involved various scientific symposia and workshops, and has international reach. It provided the opportunity to promote the project and learn about other people’s research in the field of AMR.
The first ZINCLESS Newsletter is circulated
This newsletter, circulated in April, looks back at the project’s first year. With almost 3,000 samples shipped to the laboratory for analysis so far, Project Lead, Deborah Hoyle takes the opportunity to thank participating farms for their ongoing support and outlines some of the challenges involved in sampling from herds across the UK. Meanwhile, producer feedback provides insight into the uncertainties experienced in preparing for the withdrawal of ZnO from diets.
The start of the ZINCLESS project!
2024: The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has awarded a Roslin-led consortium of research and industry partners £1.1m to investigate the consequences of the upcoming zinc oxide ban from pig diets on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and animal health. The project aims to support the pig industry in adapting to regulatory changes while ensuring the health and welfare of piglets remain paramount. Read the Roslin Press Release announcing the funding. And read the PIG World press release (4th June 2024), with the call for contributions to the anonymous survey.
Image credit: Norrie Russell/Roslin Institute