Toolbox Organisation

The Immunological Toolbox is a consortium led by three UK institutes - The Institute for Animal Health (target species - Cattle & Chickens), The Moredun Research Institute (target species - Sheep) and The Animal Health Trust (target species - horses). Each site is recognised world-wide as a centre for excellence in veterinary sciences. The program is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD).

Our Aims

The Toolbox is an initial four year program to develop a range of reagents and systems to accelerate progress in the field of Veterinary Immunology. The species of interest include horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens. Areas of specific focus are:

  • Developing reagents and assays to examine soluble inter-cellular messengers (cytokines and chemokines)
  • Generating monoclonal antibodies to identify cell surface molecules
  • Producing specific viral peptide / MHC molecule tetramer reagents to identify antigen specific T cells
  • Provide information about availability and characteristics of reagents to the research community via a dedicated website
  • Create mechanisms of distribution of developed reagents
  • Encouraging the participation of the research community through an external advisory committee

Advisory Board

Dr. Mick Bailey University of Bristol
Prof. Cynthia Baldwin University of Massachusetts
Prof. Paul Barrow The University of Nottingham
Dr. Barbara Blacklaws University of Cambridge
Prof. Ian McConnell University of Cambridge
Prof. Ivan Morrison Edinburgh University
Dr. Lesley Nicolson University of Glasgow
Prof. Mike Stear University of Glasgow
Dr. Dirk Werling The Royal Veterinary College
Dr. Paul Wigley University of Liverpool

 

Send mail to toolbox@bbsrc.ac.uk with questions or comments about this web site.