Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including antibiotic resistance, is a major challenge for animal husbandry and food security worldwide. Combating infectious diseases and AMR requires multidisciplinary global research.
Animals and nature for human health
Research investigating how animals and nature affect human health is performed at several SLU departments, and spans different research areas. Here we present a selection of current projects and publications in the field.
Translational and comparative medicine
Translational and comparative medicine bridges lab research and clinical practice, using animal models to find shared ways to improve both human and animal health.
Definition of One Health
Why focus on One Health?
Hi! What is your research about?
Interviews and researcher portraits linked to One Health with some of our researchers and PhD students.
Safe food and healthy people – how One Health research makes a difference
In many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), livestock are vital sources of food, income and nutrition. However, when animals are kept close to people, and when animals and foods are sold at traditional markets with inadequate hygiene and biosecurity, the risk of spreading bacteria that cause disease or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increases.
Working across disciplines to tackle antibiotic resistance
At the Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC), we work across disciplines to tackle antibiotic resistance. We bring together researchers from, for example, medicine, biology, pharmacy, chemistry, technology, and social sciences at Uppsala University and SLU, among others. At UAC we believe that no single field can solve this problem alone.
Sectors must work together to combat antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance is a true One Health issue because bacteria are rarely limited to one animal species or location. This means that resistance that develops in livestock can spread to humans ‒ for example, through direct contact, the environment, or animal-source foods.
Salmonellosis transmission involves multiple sectors
This study is strongly aligned with the One Health research approach because the study focuses on how salmonellosis transmission involves multiple sectors: human health risks through the food chain, animal health issues from livestock production to retail meat, and environmental contributors that promote contamination from farms to markets.
Heat-stressed dairy cows – A One Health challenge in a changing climate
"Tackling heat stress in dairy cows is not only about keeping animals cool, but about protecting food security and building resilience in the transition towards a more sustainable dairy production in a warming world."
New surgical methods of benefit to both humans and animals
The materials mean that we don't have to harvest donor tissue (in humans, bone tissue is usually taken from the hip bone; in dogs, we usually harvest it from the "upper arm bone" humerus). Instead, those synthetic ceramic materials can be used, man-made bone graft material.
“Mini-guts” show how parasites infect and how probiotics can help fight them
We’re building “mini-guts” in the lab from horse and dog cells to study how parasites infect and how probiotics can help fight them. The aim is to find sustainable alternatives to drugs, which parasites are rapidly becoming resistant to.
Win-win for both animal and human patients
Early clinical results are highly encouraging: several dogs have shown measurable tumor regression with minimal to no side effects. This is particularly promising, as there are currently no licensed veterinary treatments specifically for these cancer types, despite their poor prognosis and significant impact on canine welfare.
Succesfully managing the raccoon dog to reduce risks to biodiversity and health
“Invasive alien species are generally bad for biodiversity. They occupy areas and either outcompete or kill native species. Invasive alien animals may spread diseases to native species."
How to sustain healthy marine ecosystems and food webs
Ecosystem-based management acknowledges the complexity of the system and employs measures to ensure that biodiversity is maintained, all resources are used sustainably, and ecosystem services are available to humans across society.”
Congrats to Paulina Bergmark - a new PhD within One Health
Healthy forests support both nature and people, which makes this work important for a better future.”
Why do bacterial species sometimes cause harm and sometimes not?
All bodies carry bacteria – some vital, others dangerous. Why does the same species behave differently? Homayoon Davam is investigating this in a project on poultry and E. coli. (in Swedish)
The importance of Swedish veterinary medicine for animal production
From rinderpest to antibiotic resistance – veterinarians play a key role in animal health, our food, and crisis preparedness. Episode 40 of "Feeding Your Mind" covers threats, advancements, and protecting animals and humans in an uncertain future (in Swedish).