The increasing relevance of immunobiology within a connected animal science curriculum

Abstract

Modern technological agriculture emerged in the 20 th century and has expanded into a global enterprise occupying approximately 38% of the earth’s land area and accounting for over 40% of the world’s workforce. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that to feed a world population of 9 billion people in 2050 will require an almost doubling of overall food production, including meat, dairy and egg production over 2010 levels. However, our collective ability to meet this demand cannot be taken for granted. Despite many successes, global agricultural systems now face multiple unprecedented challenges including a dearth of new treatments for livestock diseases. The discovery of antibiotics led to a complacency now reflected in a dependency on exogenous antimicrobials and a growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Developments within the field of immunobiology had led to significant breakthroughs in understanding of human health and disease. However, despite over 60% of infectious diseases being zoonotic in nature and non-human animals acting as an important disease reservoir, research in livestock immunobiology has not been as resourced. As a direct result, recalcitrant animal diseases continue to threaten sustainability of animal production systems, security of the food chain and human health. It is within the context of collective One Health action that ambitious innovation in the connectivity of animal science undergraduate curricula is urgently required, specifically to include threshold concepts in immunobiology. Fostering transformative learning is critical to equip future generations of animal scientists with the knowledge and interdisciplinary skills to counter these existential challenges of our time.

Immunophysiological State of Dogs According to the Immunoregulatory Index of Their Blood and Spleens

“…In veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, much attention is paid to modern methods of researching the state of animal health [ 17 , 18 ]. Immunological studies, particularly the establishment of IRI, play a significant role [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Scientific studies demonstrate that this index depends on the breed characteristics of animals and is proposed to be determined in the selection process in the conditions of industrial cattle breeding for the genetic improvement of already existing breeds [ 22 , 23 ].…”