Aims & Work Packages

Funded by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the work is guided by four aims that will be met via four, interrelated work packages (WP).

Aim 1: Longitudinal field study (WP1)

Conduct a longitudinal field study to evaluate the impact of ZnO removal from diet on PWD-causing microbes, AMR and the gut microbiome, in a cohort of commercial UK herds during the first 12 months following withdrawal.

Diagram illustrating the activities of work package 1, with sampling of approximately 3000 pre- and post-withdrawal samples that are then analysed via shotgun sequencing, qPCR, and ETEC isolation.

Aim 2: Beneficial microbiome (WP2)

Through a highly detailed comparison of the gut flora composition and function in the presence and absence of pharmacological ZnO, identify the beneficial bacteria that may lead to the future development of ZnO alternatives.

Diagram illustrating the activities of work package 2, with samples/data gleaned from a ZnO positive group and a ZnO negative group that are then analysed using genomics and spectrometry, culturomics and beneficial bacterial isolate phenotyping, and correlation analysis.

Aim 3: ETEC & AMR Genomic analyses (WP3)

Using genomic sequencing, identify whether ZnO removal alters the strains and characteristics of PWD-causing bacteria, together with AMR markers circulating in the longitudinal study herds.

Diagram illustrating the activities of work package 3. The ETEC postive samples are taken from work package 1 and work package 2, and work package 3 analyses these samples via ETEC isolation, WGS, and ARGs and MGEs.

Aim 4: Stakeholder engagement (WP4)

Engage with producers and veterinarians through two-way knowledge exchange activities - including podcasts, newsletters, and press releases - to promote discussion of emerging results.

Please review the Abbreviation Buster web page for the full expansion of any abbreviations.