Parasitology research includes the biology, epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases of farmed livestock, companion animals and wildlife, both in the UK and internationally.  The wide range of studies includes epidemiological modelling tools to identify the mechanisms whereby parasitic diseases of sheep adapt to climate change and the identification of the mechanism whereby new strains of the human and cattle pathogens Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense are generated.

Work on animal infectious diseases includes foot rot in sheep, mastitis in cows, haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) and feline coronavirus. Complex and individual-based mathematical models are used to link pathogen genetics to the epidemiology of infectious disease in humans and animals. Recent work has identified optimal use of resources to control chlamydia infections.

The mucosal microbiology group examines the interaction of bacteria and host, and how bacteria can alter, and adapt to, the phenotype of their host.The group has studied the use of fish oil in reducing intestinal inflammation and Campylobacter colonisation in broiler chickens, and is developing an iron responsive probiotic.

Fundamental scientific studies of food safety are aimed at improving our understanding of the sources and routes of contamination of food of animal origin with human pathogens.

Antimicrobial resistance is a concern in all species and members of the infectious disease group are actively engaged with staff across the University and NHS to develop projects to address this issue in people, in farm and companion animals.