Biology
Research Topic
Language: English
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Research problems linked to this topic
- The risk of an unknown pandemic human disease (“disease x) has been at the top of the National Risk Register for some time and been realised this year in the shape of COVID-19. Two thirds of new human infectious diseases originate in animals. How can we better understand and prepare for future threats? How can we better join up animal and human health research, capability, and digital backbone across government to facilitate agile responses?
- How can we use digital innovation and precision farming techniques to measure animal health and welfare outcomes for livestock, and to provide early warning of livestock disease and health threats?
- Further our understanding of how climate change is affecting the health of the ocean as a result of acidification and warming seas
- Identify, prioritise, and investigate scientific and technical challenges for remediation from a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) or HAZMAT event
- How does exposure to biodiverse environments link to human microbiome diversity and shape health outcomes?
- Molecular biology: The ongoing evolution in the costs, speed, and ease of DNA measurements will allow entirely new approaches to complement traditional biodiversity monitoring and increase understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, diseases, and other aspects of the environment
- What are the population-level impacts of sublethal pesticide and other chemical exposure in the environment?
- How can we enable better biosecurity standards and behaviours to control and minimise the impact of disease and pests? how can we build systems that are resilient to introductions of pests and diseases and that can support adaptation and recovery? How can we breed animals and plants which are resistant to key diseases?
- Endemic animal diseases undermine agricultural productivity, negatively impacting animal welfare, farmers’ livelihoods, public health, and threaten trade. Increased research into improved methods of detection and control of bovine TB and other such endemic diseases remains a priority for Defra
- How can we develop and apply science, technology, and evidence to inform and deliver a risk-based approach to animal and plant biosecurity?
- How can the vulnerability and role of habitats alongside transport infrastructure be better understood regarding climate change, pests, and disease? How can we increase resilience?
- How can we better understand and prevent the development of antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance? How can we develop better diagnostic tests to encourage more judicious use of antimicrobials and anthelmintics?