69传媒

A research project by Dr. Marya Ahmed, an assistant professor of chemistry at the 69传媒, is being supported by the Government of Canada鈥檚 (NFRF). Dr. Ahmed is exploring methods to use short strings of amino acids, known as peptides, as a replacement to traditional treatments of mastitis infections in dairy cows. The NFRF is contributing $250,000 to this project.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands caused by invasive microbial pathogens. It is among the most costly and prevalent diseases in the dairy industry, resulting in considerable economic losses, decreased quality and quantity of milk production, and loss of animals.

鈥淭reatment of mastitis is usually carried out by using antibiotics,鈥� said Dr. Ahmed. 鈥淭here is evidence poor antibiotic stewardship has led to the emergence of bacteria resistant to these antibiotics. We鈥檙e exploring the use of antimicrobial peptides, or AMPs, as a safe alternative to these antibiotics.鈥�

Dr. Ahmed鈥檚 lab is developing new peptides for use in bovine mastitis, and new ways of delivering them into the inflammation, including attaching the peptide to a polymer to customize the release of drug.

鈥淭his is exciting research that will have a real impact on a serious problem facing the dairy industry and the safety of our food supply,鈥� said Dr. Katherine Gottschall-Pass, vice-president academic and research at UPEI. 鈥淒r. Ahmed works in both the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering. This project brings in the expertise of the Atlantic Veterinary College, through her collaborator Dr. Javier Sanchez. It鈥檚 a collaboration with endless potential to do good.鈥�

The New Frontiers of Research Fund is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, which is housed within the (SSHRC), on behalf of Canada鈥檚 three research granting agencies: the , the , and SSHRC. The fund supports international, interdisciplinary, fast-breaking, and high-risk research.