“We’re not developing a methane vaccine per se, but rather defining what a successful vaccine needs to achieve,” said Prof John Hammond, immunogenetics group leader at Pirbright Institute.
“By understanding the precise antibody responses required, we can provide a clear path forward for vaccine development.
“This approach reduces the trial-and-error aspect and focuses on targeted, high-resolution immunology.”
Some £1.2 million has also been awarded to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) which is investigating how these microorganisms colonise the stomach of cows in the first six weeks of a calf’s life.
“Understanding the early colonisation of methanogens and the immune response is crucial,” said Dr Dirk Werling, Prof of molecular immunology at RVC.
“Our work aims to provide the foundational knowledge needed to develop effective interventions. By combining our efforts with Pirbright and CSIC [Spanish National Research Council], we’re making strides toward a sustainable solution.”
