Six University of Guelph researchers will explore novel approaches to improving poultry healthy and food safety with over $3 million from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada [1] (AAFC) through the Canadian Poultry Research Council [2] (CPRC).
This funding is part of more than $5.1 million provided to the CPRC through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component [3], an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership [4].
These projects will leverage funding from across industry, as well as provincial and federal governments, including the the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, to support a thriving and competitive agri-food sector.
- Dr. Shayan Sharif [5] will study avian influenza, developing strategies to reduce the spread of disease in the face of a changing climate. Separately, he will also explore whether certain bacteria may help control chicken diseases by blocking cell-to-cell communication that fuels intestinal disease development.
- Dr. Alexandra Harlander [6] will study the activity and physical development of chicken embryos and young birds.
- Dr. Nicole Ricker [7] will explore the use of bacteriophages (viruses that can only infect bacterial cells), administered alone or with gut-modifying feeds, as potential alternatives to antibiotics for battling Salmonella infections in poultry.
- Dr. Elijah Kiarie [8] will receive $269,264 to evaluate fruit pomaces (waste by-products from fruit processing that include skin, pulp, seeds, stems) as potential feed ingredients to enhance bird health, performance and food safety.
- Dr. Animesh Dutta [9] will develop a thermochemical process for generating biochar from poultry litter.
- Dr. Keith Warriner [10] will explore the use of antimicrobial gas-phase hydroxyl radicals to safely disinfect eggs in hatcheries.
Read more about the funded research projects: Six U of G Researchers Receive Funding to Study Animal Health and Food Safety - U of G News [11]
