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Australian post-graduate award (industry) on pig production and vaccination
(2 scholarships available)
Supervisors:
Dr Trish Holyoake (02) 93511617 [email protected]
Dr Alison Collins (02) 46406306 [email protected]
Dr David Emery (02) 9351 3102 [email protected]
The problem
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is a major profit-limiting disease for pig producers globally. The
disease costs pork producers in Australia up to $7.00 per pig, adding almost 5% to the total cost of
production. Much of this cost is due to the widespread use of antibiotics in the grower and finisher
diets to treat and prevent PE, and veterinarians and producers are reticent to remove or change
the medication as this often results in an increased occurrence of PE. There are increasing public
concerns regarding the amplification of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the impact on human
health. Whenever antibiotics are used there is a potential for selection of antibiotic resistant strains
of bacteria. Pigs are major consumers of antibiotics. Clearly, there is a need for an alternative to
antibiotics for the control of PE.
The solution
Boehringer Ingelheim Pty Limited Australia is a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of
companies, with headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany. It is one of the 20 leading pharmaceutical,
chemical and biological firms in the world, with 140 affiliated companies worldwide focusing on
human pharmaceuticals and animal health. They are the only pharmaceutical animal health
company in the world to develop and register a vaccine (Enterisol® Ileitis) to aid in the control of
PE in pigs. This vaccine is registered for use in a number of overseas countries and is currently
being reviewed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for
registration in Australia.
Researchers at the University of Sydney, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Boehringer
Ingelheim have developed a collaborative research project to reduce antibiotic usage in pig herds
by controlling PE in pigs by vaccination, housing and hygiene.
The scholarships
Two full-time PhD scholarships are being funded by an ARC Linkage-Projects grant for 3 years to
be based primarily at the Camden campus. During the course of the project, the PhDs will:
 study the immune response of Enterisol®-vaccinated pigs using cutting edge technology to
optimise the protective immune response in vaccinated pigs under Australian conditions
 Use the CT scanner to visualise intestinal pathology and determine the effect of infection on
carcass composition of pigs
 visit Boehringer Ingelheim in Germany and learn more about the process of commercial
vaccine development
 attend conferences in Australia and overseas to present the results of your research
 work with some of Australia’s leading experts in pork production, immunology and
microbiology
Applicants should have an Honours 1 or 2A degree in veterinary science, animal science or
agricultural science. An interest in immunology and/or epidemiology and how it applies to pig
health and production would be an advantage. Applicants must be Australian citizens, Australian
permanent residents or New Zealand citizens. The scholarship stipend is $24,650* p.a. in 2005
(tax exempt). For further information, contact Dr Trish Holyoake, Dr David Emery or Dr Alison
Collins. Applications, including a curriculum vitae, copy of an academic transcript, proof of
citizenship or permanent residency, the names and contact details of at least two referees should
be sent to Dr Trish Holyoake, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425
Werombi Rd, Camden NSW 2550. Closing Date: 31st January 2006. These scholarships are
subject to signing of contracts between the University of Sydney and the commercial partners.
* $24,650 for L-P grants commencing in 2005. ARC has not announced the 2006 rate as at 17 November 2005.