Central Science Laboratory (CSL)

This Team (managed by Dr Chris Cheeseman) researches the role of wildlife in zoonotic diseases in humans and animals, and provides scientific advice to DEFRA. The Team's objectives are as follows:

• Carry out long-term field studies on the ecology, TB epidemiology and population genetics of wild badgers in SW England.
• Monitor wild mammal populations for bovine TB and assess the risks to cattle.
• Investigate badger behaviour in relation to the exploitation of farm-derived resources.
• Provide science-based advice to DEFRA on matters relating to badgers, and other wildlife, and the control of zoonotic disease in wildlife.
• Perform research on other zoonotic diseases as appropriate.
• Carry out research on the impact of aspects of the DEFRA randomised badger culling trial on wild mammal populations.

Address Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York  YO4 1LW Web Site www.csl.gov.uk The CSL also have links to Woodchester Park: www.badgerecology.org

The CSL at Woodchester Park Woodchester Park is another great place to do research about badgers in the UK. Being paid for by DEFRA means that some elements of the research involves looking at farm animal and wildlife diseases like bovine TB. That said, the scientists here are still of the highest calibre and produce a range of fascinating evidence-based research. Again, Badgerland can't rate them too highly! http://www.badgerecology.org Buzzwords! Biomarker A chemical substance whose detection indicates a particular disease state, a change in expression or state of a protein that correlates with the risk or progression of a disease, or with the susceptibility of the disease to a given treatment Epidemiology The study of factors affecting the health/illness of a human or animal population. Factors might include nutrition, infectious agents, stress or chemicals. Immunoassay A biochemical test that measures the concentration of a substance in a biological serum or urine, using the reaction of an antibody or antibodies to its antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are often used as they only usually bind to one site of a particular molecule, and provide a more specific and accurate test. Morphological analysis A method for exploring all possible solutions to a complex problem. Morphological analysis concerns the arrangement of objects and how they create a whole - such as a whole anatomical system. Zoonotic Diseases These are diseases caused by infectious agents that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans.