Translating miRNA biomarker discovery into novel veterinary diagnostics to increase the efficiency of milk production
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: The Roslin Institute
Abstract
This study will address the long-standing problem of low fertility in dairy cows which through reduced milk production results in significant profit loss by UK and global industries. We will develop and commercialise a robust, affordable assay for early pregnancy detection to facilitate reproductive management of cows and increase milk production efficiency. Specifically, following on our previous discovery of early pregnancy biomarkers we will establish optimum conditions for miRNA quantification in blood and milk for accurately determining early pregnancy status in commercial cattle. We will then seek to develop and test a novel assay platform for direct and accurate detection of miRNAs in cattle samples using proprietary nucleic acid technology. Finally, we will launch a laboratory-based or pen-side assay through spin-out company creation or licensing to existing Diagnostics companies. We envision this will bring significant improvements to productivity and welfare of dairy cows.
Publications
Tzelos T
(2022)
MiRNAs in milk can be used towards early prediction of mammary gland inflammation in cattle.
in Scientific reports
Description | We have confirmed our previous observation that miRNA levels in blood increase during early pregnancy in cattle. A novel finding was that miR-26 levels increase in the blood of mature cows, in addition to heifers, during early pregnancy and that such increase occurs only in animals carrying a successful pregnancy. The increase in blood miR-26 however is relatively modest and unlikely to have wide diagnostic use for early pregnancy detection. An additional finding was that the levels of several interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) increase in blood during early pregnancy in cattle. A distinct increase in ISG levels occurs in mature cows but not in heifers during early pregnancy and may be used diagnostically to detect early pregnancy with high accuracy in mature cows. Finally, we have shown that changes in miRNA levels in milk occur during the very early stages of mammary gland inflammation and could potentially be used as an alternative to somatic cell counts for the diagnosis of early subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle |
Exploitation Route | Although enthusiasm for using miRNAs diagnostically in dairy cattle has decreased, this project has shown the enormous potential of using mRNAs (ISGs) for such purpose, and opens the door to development of PCR or more farmer-friendly approches for early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
Description | The findings in this study: -Provided a stimulus for the creation of Vetsina Diagnostics Ltd and drove initial R&D by the company -Provided the basis for the award of a recent Innovate Farming Innovation Award between Vetsina and Roslin Institute -Provide know-how which can be used to develop veterinary diagnostic applications by Destina Genomics in the future |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Collaboraion with DestiNA Genomics to develop novel diagnostic biomarkers for livestock |
Organisation | DestiNA Genomics Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Scientific expertise in molecular biomarkers and access to farm animal samples |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of proprietary technology for direct nucleic acid detection in clinical samples |
Impact | BBSRC: Super FoF project - miRNA based diagnostics to improve livestock production (£473000, 2020-2022) BBSRC: FTMA -Translating MiRNA Biomarker Discovery Into Novel Veterinary Diagnostics To Increase The Efficiency Of Milk Production (£ 10039; 2020 - 2020) BBSRC: BB/S011277/1 - Pathfinder (TR) - miRNA-based diagnostics to improve livestock production (£ 12097; 2018 - 2019) BBSRC: ISCF-TFP-SA-Edinburgh - Sub-award from ISCF Transforming Food Production Seeding Award (ISCF-TFP-SA-Edinburgh). 'Roslin-DestiNA Genomics Ltd collaboration: a microRNA (miRNA) diagnostic platform for early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle'. (£ 19250; 2018 - 2019) BBSRC: ISCF-TFP-SA-Edinburgh - Sub-award from ISCF Transforming Food Production Seeding Award (ISCF-TFP-SA-Edinburgh). 'Exploring the commercialisation potential or miRNA diagnostics for dairy cattle'. (£ 6200; 2018 - 2019) |
Start Year | 2019 |
Company Name | Vetsina Animal Diagnostics Limited |
Description | |
Year Established | 2020 |
Impact | None |
Website | https://sites.google.com/destinagenomics.com/home |