Diagnostics, surveillance and environmental drivers of TB in Borneo

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second leading cause of death from infectious disease after COVID-19. In 2021, 10.6M fell ill and 1.6M died from TB. Ending TB epidemics by 2030 is among the health targets (Target 3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Malaysia, TB related mortality is reducing but not sufficiently to meet the global End TB Strategy milestones. Sabah Malaysia has particular problems with historically higher burdens of TB. Here, geographic hotspots of TB patients currently correspond with migration hubs and dense urbanised population centres, but with patchy surveillance, delayed health seeking and limited access to TB care this might not be a true reflection of disease distribution. Access to healthcare provision is particularly difficult within Sabah’s interior, which is topographically challenging and renowned for its iconic wildlife. While bovine TB is primarily a disease of livestock, spread of bTB from cattle to wildlife is well documented in other countries, but in Malaysia TB/bTB surveillance in wildlife has been largely neglected. We do know though that TB infections are likely common in wildlife and for example have previously delayed the release of captive orangutans back to their natural habitats.

Working with Cardiff University, Aberystwyth Vet School, the Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis (CBTB) for Wales, the Danau Girang Field Centre and the Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, this student will work with conservationists, wildlife biologists, biochemists, veterinarians, medics and policy advisors to optimise diagnostics and map bTB in wildlife to assess the environmental, social and economic drivers of infection. Specific aims:

1. Test the efficacy of different serological (interferon γ–release assays) and DNA based screening methods for TB on different samples (blood, mouth swaps and faecal material) from a range of farm and wildlife species. Wherever possible these tests will be matched with standard culturing methods;
2. Within the Kinabatangan, conduct bTB/TB surveillance on selected domestic animals and wildlife species including a) domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), which contribute significantly to local agriculture with more people directly depending upon them than any other livestock species; b) domestic cattle (B. indicus; and c) species of conservation concern, including the Bornean banteng (Bos javanicus lowi), endemic to Borneo with approximately 300 individuals remaining (IUCN classified as Endangered); and if possible human patients.
3. Test animal products (such as unpasteurised milk) for bTB to assess food chain risks to human populations;
4. Re-analyse existing and current medical and veterinary data on bTB/TB outbreaks in Sabah and relate to environmental and socio-economic drivers.

The student will visit CBTB to learn the principles of UK TB animal surveillance. A range of known positive and negative TB samples from Wales will facilitate development of improved PCR based wildlife diagnostics. They will assess the field-based Bio-on-Magnetic-Beads (BOMB) DNA extraction platform to streamline DNA purification. Then create a rapid quantitative PCR test, modifying the SARS-CoV-2 CRISPR-Cas detection technology to allow rapid and sensitive discrimination of different TB genotypes. This method will then be tested in Wales before moving the system to Borneo, where the student will work alongside veterinarians who will be sampling banteng and other bovids as part of on-going conservation initiatives. Fragmented populations of banteng are connected by the presence of non-confined domestic cattle (B. indicus) and domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), which has raised concerns about inter-species disease transmission, which will be tested during this studentship.

Skills and experience the student will gain from the PhD

Epidemiology, experimental design, disease diagnostics, molecular biology and bioinformatics, statistics, GIS, transdisciplinary research and experience of working in large research teams. They will be supported by TB experts (diagnostician, vet and medic) as well as conservationists and biologists with knowledge of local wildlife, and a policy advisor.

Supervisory team - Professor Jo Cable (Cardiff, Biosciences), Professor Glyn Hewinson (Aberystwyth University), Dr Tomasz Jurkowski (Cardiff, Biosciences) and Professor Kamruddin Ahmed (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

Partners - The Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC), the Aberystwyth Veterinary School (Prof Darrell Abernethy), Magnacell Ltd and Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC, with Prof Benoit Goossens and Dr Milena Salgado Lynn also as co-supervisors)

How to apply:

You can apply online - consideration is automatic on applying for a PhD with an October 2023 start date.

Please use our online application service at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md

and specify in the funding section that you wish to be considered for UKRI OneZoo funding.

Please specify that you are applying for this particular project and name the supervisor.

Information on the application process can be found here

If not successful in being shortlisted for this particular studentship you could be considered for other studentships within the OneZoo program, please see the full list here: https://peter-kille.github.io/OneZoo/projects_2023.html’

Application deadline: 1^st May 2023 with interviews (either in person or online) being held on or around end of May and decisions being made by June 2023 for a 1^st Oct 2023 start.

A very high standard of applications is typically received, the successful applicant is likely to have a very good first degree (a First or Upper Second class BSc Honours or equivalent) and/or be distinguished by having relevant research experience.

You must also by 1 May 2023 send the following to [Email Address Removed] (title of the email must include the name of the host institution to which you are applying, and the surname of the principal supervisor) e.g. "Cardiff_Cable"

• Completed  CDT application Form - available to download here
• Completed Equal Opportunities Form - available to download here
• 2 page CV
• Copy of passport photo page