Clinical Hub Aberystwyth
Your Health Matters
The Veterinary Research Team
Clinical Hub Aberystwyth supports the United Nations One Health agenda, which recognises that human, animal and environmental health are closely interconnected.
Our veterinary research focuses on important animal diseases, with particular emphasis on mycobacterial infections in livestock and wildlife. Insights from our omics work help build understanding of these diseases and support better diagnosis and control.
We also study important disorders in companion animals.
Meet the Team
Dr. Emma Taylor
Emma recently completed her PhD, which explored metabolomic approaches to improve the detection of Johne's disease in dairy cattle. Her research involved close collaboration with international research institutions and industry partners, leading to more than 50 patented metabolites and five peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Richard Pizzey MRCVS
Richard led a project examining metabolomic changes in cattle following infection with bovine tuberculosis, including how vaccination affects this response. He now works at the Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis at Aberystwyth University.
Jim Scott-Baumann MRCVS
Jim graduated from Bristol Veterinary School in 2016 and spent four years in small animal practice. In 2020 he began a PhD at Aberystwyth University, using multi omics approaches to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis in badgers and cattle. He also works with the Royal Veterinary College on feline hypertension.
Case Study: Novel Diagnostics for TB in Badgers
The European badger (Meles meles) is a known wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Better knowledge of bTB epidemiology, gained through testing wildlife, is essential for disease control.
Current diagnostic tests for bTB in badgers are limited by cost, processing time or relatively poor sensitivity. Laboratory techniques take time to process, while rapid snap tests have limited sensitivity.
We are using metabolomics and microbiome assessments to identify specific changes that could improve our understanding of the disease in this species, and potentially lead to novel biomarkers for testing.
Case Study: Feline Hypertension
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most significant diseases affecting cats, just as it is in humans. It can lead to a range of knock on effects on a cat's health, including blindness.
Routine blood pressure screening is uncommon in primary care practice, and situational hypertension can complicate readings, so a confirmatory test for hypertension could prove valuable.
In collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College, we are using direct infusion metabolomics to assess changes in the urine and blood metabolomes of cats with hypertension, including those receiving treatment. These insights could help further our understanding of how hypertension develops in cats.
Our Collaborators
Prof. Martin Vordermeier
Publications from the Veterinary Team
Scott-Baumann, J.F.; Friedersdorff, J.C.A.; Villarreal-Ramos, B.; King, J.; Hopkins, B.; Pizzey, R.; Rooke, D.; Hewinson, G.; Mur, L.A.J. The Faecal Microbiome of the Wild European Badger Meles meles: A Comparison Against Other Wild Omnivorous Mammals from Across the Globe. Curr Microbiol 2022, 79, 363. doi:10.1007/s00284-022-03064-4
Scott-Baumann, J.; Pizzey, R.; Beckmann, M.; Villarreal-Ramos, B.; King, J.; Hopkins, B.; Rooke, D.; Hewinson, G.; Mur, L.A.J. Metabotyping the Welsh Population of Badgers Based on Thoracic Fluid. Metabolomics 2022, 18, 30. doi:10.1007/s11306-022-01888-6
Taylor, E.N.; Han, J.; Fan, C.; Beckmann, M.; Hewinson, G.; Rooke, D.; Koets, A.P.; Mur, L.A.J. Defining Fatty Acid Changes Linked to Rumen Development, Weaning and Growth in Holstein-Friesian Heifers. Metabolites 2022, 12, 374. doi:10.3390/metabo12050374
Taylor, E.N.; Beckmann, M.; Markey, B.K.; Gordon, S.V.; Hewinson, G.; Rooke, D.; Mur, L.A.J. Metabolomic Changes in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) Challenged Holstein-Friesian Cattle Highlight the Role of Serum Amino Acids as Indicators of Immune System Activation. Metabolomics 2022, 18, 21. doi:10.1007/s11306-022-01876-w
Taylor, E.N.; Beckmann, M.; Hewinson, G.; Rooke, D.; Sinclair, L.A.; Mur, L.A.J. Metabolomic Changes in Lactating Multiparous Naturally MAP-Infected Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows Suggest Changes in Mitochondrial Energy Pathways. Res Vet Sci 2022, 152, 354-363. doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.001
Taylor, E.N.; Beckmann, M.; Hewinson, G.; Rooke, D.; Mur, L.A.J.; Koets, A.P. Metabolomic Changes in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids as Diagnostic Biomarkers in Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) Inoculated Holstein-Friesian Heifers. Vet Res 2022, 53, 68. doi:10.1186/s13567-022-01087-0
Taylor, E.N.; Beckmann, M.; Villarreal-Ramos, B.; Vordermeier, H.M.; Hewinson, G.; Rooke, D.; Mur, L.A.J.; Koets, A.P. Metabolomic Changes in Naturally MAP-Infected Holstein-Friesian Heifers Indicate Immunologically Related Biochemical Reprogramming. Metabolites 2021, 11, 727. doi:10.3390/metabo11110727
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