Next generation genes on display
The results of next generation gene technologies were on show at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' (RCVS) Charitable Trust conference 'Next Generation Sequencing - The Role of New Sequence Technologies in Shaping the Future of Veterinary Science,' held in London on Tuesday 26 June.
Fifty new genomes have been sequenced using these technologies in a University of Liverpool project funded by £250,000 from the Trust. These include Campylobacter, which is the most prevalent zoonosis in the world and is estimated by Defra to cost the UK economy £0.5 billion a year.
The technologies increase the speed with which a scientist can determine a genome's 'base pairs'. Dr Alan Radford, who led the project and chaired the conference, said: "We wanted to make the resources and expertise that we have at Liverpool as widely available as possible to veterinary scientists and practitioners, as these technologies will undoubtedly help shape the future of veterinary science in areas from breeding to clinical diagnosis and treatment."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
