News Releases

UWI Researchers Win $77,080 Biotech Grant to Track Viruses in Trafficked Animals

For Release Upon Receipt - April 17, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, April 17, 2025 – Researchers from The UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) were recently awarded a grant of €10,000 (approx TT$77,080.00) to advance research into diseases travelling with illegally trafficked wildlife and livestock from the South American mainland into Trinidad.

 The grant was awarded by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). Based in South Africa, the ICGEB is a key player in the global biotechnology landscape, contributing to scientific progress and sustainable development.

 The UWI team, led by Dr. Jerome E. Foster, senior lecturer at the Biochemistry Unit Department of Preclinical Sciences, includes Dr. Rod Suepaul, Prof. Christine Carrington, and Dr. Nikita Sahadeo, representing a variety of disciplines such as molecular biology, phylogenetics, virology, veterinary pathology and health statistics, but all with an interest in investigating infectious disease pathogens, and are part of the Tropical Medicine Cluster (TMC) in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

 

 Dr. Jerome Foster, senior lecturer at the Biochemistry Unit Department of Preclinical Sciences and team lead of the research group working in the area of tropical medicine at The UWI Faculty of Medical Sciences.

 The illegal trade in both livestock and wildlife is a serious and largely unmonitored potential source of animal-borne pathogens (disease-causing agents) of both medical and ecological concern. At present, data on any viruses carried by these trafficked animals is limited, and the grant will help to set up a means of monitoring the flow of pathogens through the country.

 In an email exchange explaining the award's intent, Dr. Foster said that the study will address the gap between both known and new viral pathogens using next-gen DNA sequencing.

“By comparing what we find in illegally trafficked animals to what is found in our local animal species we will be able to see whether any pathogens that may impact animal or human health are entering the country," he said.

 The grant will be used to establish sampling and screening protocols using a representative subset of the illegal animals (between 40-60 animals) being smuggled into the country. By using the molecular biology techniques of PCR and next-generation sequencing, the researchers would be able to detect organisms that the animals harbour. In addition to the work providing new insights, the team hopes that results generated from this first step will support applications for additional funding to expand this line of research.

 The UWI team will be working alongside local and international researchers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) of Trinidad and Tobago, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in South Africa. Key collaborators include Dr. Lana Gyan and Mr. David Mahabir (MALF), Dr. Sarah Hill (RVC), and Dr. Georgia Schafer and Dr. Stefano Cacciatore (ICGEB).

 ICGEB is an intergovernmental Organisation dedicated to advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology. The Centre operates as a collaborative to advance knowledge, apply the latest techniques in the fields of biomedicine, crop improvement, environmental protection/remediation, bio-pharmaceuticals, biopesticide and biofuel production. The ICGEB has 70 member countries (including Trinidad & Tobago) and state-of-the-art facilities for collaboration, research and training in Italy, India and South Africa.

 More information can be had about the Tropical Medicine Cluster, its publications and contacts at:

Tropical Medicine Cluster: https://sta.uwi.edu/tropicalmedicine/

  More information can be had about the ICGEB and its activities can be found at:

ICGEB: https://www.icgeb.org/

 

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