Rapid Diagnostic Sequencing for Equine Infections (Ponytails Project)

Pathogenic bacterial infections in horses can cause a spectrum of disease, such as respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin infections, and septic arthritis and tenosynovitis. Some of these diseases carry a high morbidity and mortality in comparison to other species, and are often challenging to diagnose and treat effectively due to the difficulties in culturing the responsible pathogens. A major factor contributing to the poor outcome is the time it takes to correctly identify the infectious agent and its antimicrobial sensitivity after sampling, which can delay appropriate treatment.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly seen as a major global health threat, impacting human and animal health and food security. Traditional, widely-adopted diagnostic methods in veterinary settings, like lab-based culture and sensitivity tests, are slow and result in the premature and often inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Rapid identification of microbial pathogens and antimicrobial sensitivity prediction techniques such as metagenomic whole genome sequencing (mWGS) has real potential to overcome this obstacle by expediting the diagnosis of bacterial infections and informing the selection of appropriate antimicrobials, with an associated increase in the probability of therapeutic success.

The application of metagenomic whole genome sequencing in veterinary medicine remains relatively underexplored despite its success in identifying pathogenic species and predicting AMR. At the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS) and Roslin Institute, Dr Ring has pioneered this approach in canine skin disease, including validation against traditional methods, heralding significant advancements in veterinary diagnostics and treatment protocols. In collaboration with veterinary specialists at the largest equine hospital in Scotland (the Dick Vet Equine Hospital) we are excited to offer a unique PhD studentship focused on transforming the diagnostics landscape for equine health through the development and application of rapid DNA sequencing techniques to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections in horses.

We are seeking a highly motivated doctoral candidate with a background in microbiology, genetics, molecular diagnostics, or related fields. Experience in genomic methods and a passion for advancing veterinary medicine are highly desirable. The successful candidate will gain laboratory and bioinformatic skills to develop a DNA sequencing pipeline to specifically address equine infections in equine diseases of critical importance, and validate the clinical, welfare, and antibiotic stewardship benefits of this approach in the field by comparison with traditional diagnostic methods.

This project has immense potential to enhance treatment effectiveness, reduce the misuse of antibiotics, and improve equine welfare. The introduction of this rapid diagnostic approach is expected to set new standards for veterinary care and infectious disease management in equine health. By ensuring timely and accurate treatment adaptations, we aim to curb the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, considered to be one of the greatest challenges to global health and food security. This will bolster not only patient outcomes but also advance our comprehension of infection dynamics, contributing substantially to ongoing research efforts in the UK and beyond.

Interested candidates are encouraged to discuss their application in advance with co-supervisors Professors Dylan Clements (Dylan.Clements@ed.ac.uk) and Ross Fitzgerald (Ross.Fitzgerald@ed.ac.uk), Dr Nat Ring (Nring@exseed.ed.ac.uk) or Prof Scott Pirie. The College of Medicine and Veterinary Science is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and students, actively promoting a culture of inclusivity, equality and diversity The University of Edinburgh.