Episode 73 – A genomic approach to conservation
Species at being lost at an alarming rate around the world. Luckily, there are large-scale efforts underway to document and utilize population genetic diversity for species conservation. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Klaus-Peter Koepfli, a research scientist from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Species Survival and visiting speaker within the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health […]
Episode 72 – An EPIC Undertaking
We hope that the UK will never see another major livestock disease outbreak such as foot and mouth disease or avian influenza. But if we do, we will be much better prepared to deal with it thanks to EPIC, the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks. This interdisciplinary group of researchers from several Scottish institutions, including researchers from the […]
Episode 71 – All things being equal
Visiting speaker and workshop facilitator Dr Ana Payo Payo speaks about her research on migratory birds and her involvement in promoting equal opportunities for women and men in STEM
Episode 70 – International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day this year, the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine celebrated with a special social event in the museum, where an extra special speech was given by one of our highly respected senior academics. In this episode, we capture the highlights of Prof Pat Monaghan‘s Women’s Day talk, wherein she speaks about her career in […]
Episode 69 – SalmoSim: The creation of an artificial salmon gut
The aquaculture industry is growing at a rapid rate, but our understanding of the factors that contribute to fish ‘performance’ – that is, how to ensure optimal health and growth – is not keeping pace. Rather than conduct costly field experiments, researchers at the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine are taking a different approach. Join us as […]
Episode 68 – Predictive Power: How sequence data and computers can help to find viral reservoirs
Imagine being able to predict the reservoir species for a newly-found virus just from its genetic code. Using cutting edge machine learning techniques, that is precisely what researchers from the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine and the Centre for Virus Research have managed to do. Join us in this episode of Naturally Speaking as […]
Shaky sheep, tapeworms and ‘ormilo’: Investigating a neurological syndrome of small ruminants in Tanzania
Maasai pastoralist livestock keepers in northern Tanzania have become increasingly concerned about a disease that is causing strange behaviour in their sheep and goats – a disease these animals are eventually dying from. Anecdotal evidence suggested that a dog tapeworm could be the cause, but more research was needed. Last year, PhD student Ellen Hughes travelled to Tanzania to investigate the epidemiology and causes of this important threat to pastoral livelihoods and food security.
