Novel microbiome based biomarkers of poultry gut health
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
The animal gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of microbes that play a critical role in their health and wellbeing. Poultry birds reared under intensive conditions are exposed to environmental stresses that disturb their gut microbiome and adversely impact on their health. This studentship will investigate the impact of environmental stresses on the structure and function of the gut microbiome as well as on the immune status with the objective of identifying novel biomarkers of poultry gut health.
This will enable selection of birds that can withstand these stresses and also identify vulnerable populations before they succumb to the negative impact of stresses on the bird performance and welfare. Ultimately this project can potentially reduce loss of birds, improve feed conversion and reduce cost associated of veterinary drugs required for disease treatment. Reduction in therapeutic use of antibiotic will contribute to addressing the global concerns of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
This will enable selection of birds that can withstand these stresses and also identify vulnerable populations before they succumb to the negative impact of stresses on the bird performance and welfare. Ultimately this project can potentially reduce loss of birds, improve feed conversion and reduce cost associated of veterinary drugs required for disease treatment. Reduction in therapeutic use of antibiotic will contribute to addressing the global concerns of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Arjan Narbad (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Bushra Schuitemaker (Student) |
| Description | Identified possible serum and faecal based biomarkers for poultry gut health and welfare. Research ongoing, further validation underway. |
| Exploitation Route | Implementation of biomarkers to industry for improving poultry commercial production and breeding stratergies. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
| Description | Working with industry leads and the general public, I have combined my engagement activity and research to help to address societal concerns about sustainability of poultry agriculture. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP: Enterprise Wednesday |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| URL | https://www.norwichresearchpark.com/event/enterprise-wednesday |
| Description | Nuffield Farmers Scholarships Scientific Adviser |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://www.nuffieldinternational.org/conferences.php |
| Description | Visit to Norwich Research Park and Quadram Institute by Science Minister George Freeman MP |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | "Day in the Life" video and panel discussion at the Bio-Diverse Festival 2021 as part of the Diverse Careers session |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Bio-Diverse Project (https://biodiverseproject.org/) aims to create an inclusive, welcoming space for underrepresented and minority groups in biology and conservation. As part of this year's Bio-Diverse Project annual festival, I created a video illustrating a "Day in the Life of a Zoology PhD student", which was shared throughout the festival week and later supported a panel discussion for the Diverse Careers session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMdbdovUJl0 |
| Description | Black History Month Panel Event "Hear my Voice" at Univeristy of Glasgow Veterinary & Life Sciences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | UK Black History Month expert panel attended by more than 50 students to discuss experiences and create actionable objectives against anti-Blackness and raism in life sciences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Creation and delivery of "Effective Allyship" workshop and "Inclusive Curriculum" workshop at British Ecological Society (BES) Annual Meeting: Ecology Across Boarder 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As vice-chair of British Ecological Society's (BES) Special Interest Group (SIG), the Racial Ethnic Equality & Diversity (REED) Ecological Network, myself and the chair created and delivered workshops to conference attendees on inclusive allyship in academia and ecology and creating inclusive curriculums in life sciences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/membership-community/reednetwork/ |
| Description | Presented talk on "Social Media Skills as an Academic & Professional" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Social media is an indispensable tool for modern scientists to communicate their research. There are also untold opportunities for development, networking and self-promotion to be found online. This student-led seminar session aimed to provide the skills in building an online presence while making the most of your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn as professional academics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Talk at Johns Hopkins Medicine "Lessons from One Health: A Zoologist's Perspective" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to give a virtual seminar at Johns Hopkins Medicine. The talk was titled "Lessons from One Health: A Zoologist's Perspective" and attended by 60 researchers and practitioners. The talk generated some excellent discussion on looking outside our model organisms and into nature to alleviate some of the mysteries in oncology and microbiome research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | What the Cluck? Activity stand at Kid's Country Food & Farming Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Over 2000 primary school aged students from around the country visited Peterborough Showgrounds. I hosted a chicken gut activity stand with puzzles of the chicken gut, a quiz game on factors that effect gut health, and 'show and tell' of chicken food and faeces. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | What's Up? The Chicken Gut! Exhibition and workshop at Norwich Science Festival 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Sold-out event and full auditorium (~120 in audience) for workshop about the evolution, history and importance of chickens in relation to the gut microbiome. Variety of age ranges from ~5 to over 60 years old. Following the workshop, there were 30-mins of questions and discussions from the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/whats-on/whats-up-with-the-chickens-gut |