Studying Early Immune Response to Methane-Producing Microbes in Cattle

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is studying how methane-producing microbes, called methanogens, colonize the digestive systems of newborn calves. This research aims to understand how these microbes interact with the immune system, which is crucial for developing a methane vaccine for cattle.

This project seeks to reduce methane emissions from livestock, aligning with the Bezos Earth Fund's goal of transforming the future of food by making the way we grow and raise food more sustainable. The insights gained could lead to an effective methane vaccine, significantly contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

Researchers are examining how methanogens establish themselves in the rumen, the first stomach compartment in cattle, and how the calf's immune system responds. By collecting and analyzing samples from the digestive system and using advanced techniques like fluorescent markers to track the microbes, the study provides a detailed view of these early interactions.

Partnering with the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) and the Pirbright Institute, RVC combines expertise in immune development and microbial colonization to address key knowledge gaps.