Principal Supervisor: Dr Eduard Roos (Royal Veterinary College, Pathobiology and Population Science)
Co-Supervisor: Dr Irene Nobeli (Birkbeck, School of Natural Sciences)
Project Description
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) organisms, presents a significant zoonotic risk, affecting human health, wildlife, and domestic animals. Non-human primates (NHPs) in captivity, such as those in zoological collections and sanctuaries, are at particular risk. The close genetic and environmental proximity between NHPs and humans elevates the potential for zoonotic transmission. However, current diagnostic efforts lack standardisation, often leading to unreliable results, which can have critical consequences for both animal and public health.
This PhD project will apply a One Health approach to TB diagnosis in captive NHP populations, aiming to:
- Evaluate current TB diagnostic tools for their effectiveness in zoological settings.
- Develop and validate diagnostic assays, including cell-mediated immune (CMI) assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, for improved detection of both active and latent TB.
- Investigate potential zoonotic transmission pathways between NHPs and human populations.
- Establish an evidence-based Best Practice diagnostic pathway for TB surveillance, integrating public health and conservation needs.
The student will receive interdisciplinary training across molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, and One Health research. They will be based at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) with additional training in bioinformatics at Birkbeck, University of London. The project offers opportunities for fieldwork, diagnostic development, and engagement with international conservation and public health organisations.
Subject Areas/Keywords:
Zoonotic Diseases, Tuberculosis, Wildlife Health, One Health, Molecular Diagnostics, Bioinformatics, Non-Human Primates, Public Health, Conservation, Epidemiology
Key References
Bernitz, N., Kerr, T.J., Goosen, W.J., Chileshe, J., Higgitt, R.L., Roos, E.O., Meiring, C., Gumbo, R., De Waal, C. and Clarke, C. (2021). Review of diagnostic tests for detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in South African wildlife. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 588697.
Bushmitz, M., Lecu, A., Verreck, F., Preussing, E., Rensing, S., Mätz-Rensing, K. and Health, o.t.E.-T.W.G.o.N.-h.P. (2009). Guidelines for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in non-human primates: Recommendations of the European Primate Veterinary Association Working Group on Tuberculosis. Journal of Medical Primatology 38 (1), 59-69.
Ghielmetti, G., Loubser, J., Kerr, T.J., Stuber, T., Thacker, T., Martin, L.C., O’Hare, M.A., Mhlophe, S.K., Okunola, A., Loxton, A.G., Warren, R.M., Moseley, M.H., Miller, M.A. and Goosen, W.J. (2023). Advancing animal tuberculosis surveillance using culture-independent long-read whole-genome sequencing. Frontiers in Microbiology 14.
Meesawat, S., Aiempichitkijkarn, N., Warit, S., Kaewparuehaschai, M. and Malaivijitnond, S. (2023). Non-invasive specimen collections for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection in free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). PLOS ONE 18 (8), e0289961.
Further details about the project may be obtained from:
Principal Supervisor: Dr Eduard Roos – eroos@rvc.ac.uk
Co-Supervisor: Dr Irene Nobeli – i.nobeli@bbk.ac.uk
Further information about PhDs at RVC is available from:
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd
Application forms and details about how to apply are available from:
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/phd/how-to-apply
Closing date for applications is:
Wednesday 12th February 2025 at 23:59 (GMT)
The Bloomsbury Colleges 