Seeking BBSRC Funding

Martin SheldonBBSRC Research Development Fellow

12th February 2009

How to get funded?

Important questionRelevant to BBSRC Research or Policy Priorities

- Animal Health- 3Rs

Hypothesis drivenClear aim and SMART objectivesScientific excellenceFeasible TimelyTrack record of the team / collaborationsImpact (Product / Company / Nature – PNAS)

Clinician / business → Lecturer → Researcher

Infection – immunity – reproductive biology

Cattle

> 90% - microbial infection of uterus after parturition

10 million / year - clinical disease (EU)

Treatment, infertility and mortality costs €2.9 billion / year

Women

10% prevalence of sexually transmitted infections

1 million / year - Pelvic inflammatory disease (USA)

250,000 women hospitalised, 100,000 become infertile,150 deaths, and costs $4.2 billion / year

Hypothesis

Endometrial and ovarian cells have innate immune capabilities that direct the immune response and modulate endocrine function

Ovary

Uterus

Open AccessEndometrium

Endocrinology 2009 In press

Reproductive Biology & Endocrinology 2008 6:53

Endocrinology 2006 147:562-70

Ovary

Reproduction 2007 134:683-93.

Communicating the science

Funding the research

LINK