The Biomedical Animal Research News (BARN) Digest collates animal research news from Concordat on Openness signatories and UAR’s 150+ member organisations into one, easy to access, feed. These animal research related stories include topics such as: medical studies and advancements; animal welfare and 3Rs news; funding, regulatory, and policy news; and conservation and environmental research that involves animal testing.
Each month, we pick the most interesting, groundbreaking, and important news to feature in a monthly news roundup.
View BARN to see daily news updates from UAR members.
BASIC/DISCOVERY RESEARCH
Changes in a gene linked to young onset Parkinson’s
PARKINSONS UK | MICE, FLIES
"Results from a study we funded show that a gene, called PSMF1, is linked to young onset Parkinson's. This is the first time the PSMF1 gene has been linked to Parkinson's, potentially opening up new targets for future treatments.
Researchers investigated what happens when there are changes to the PSMF1 gene. They found that these changes had 2 outcomes:
- Problems with proteasomes - not only were there not as many, but the proteasomes that were present also didn’t function normally. Meaning the cells were less able to clear away unwanted proteins.
- Malfunctioning mitochondria - mitochondria, responsible for producing the energy that cells need to work, didn’t function as well as they should. Mitochondria are particularly important in brain cells affected by Parkinson’s, which require high levels of energy to function.
The researchers found that, when the PSMF1 gene was removed in flies and mice, the animals showed movement problems, and a loss of brain cells. They also found that those with changes in both copies of their PSMF1 genes developed Parkinson’s earlier, suggesting a possible link with young onset Parkinson’s."
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/2026/changes-gene-linked-to-young-onset-parkinsons
Bug hope to beat eczema
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY | MICE
"Friendly skin bacteria could hold the key to stopping eczema in its tracks according to a breakthrough by a team of UK and Japanese scientists.
Their new study reveals harmless microbes living on our skin release powerful molecules that can shut down the inflammatory chaos triggered by Staphylococcus aureus, the bug long known to wreak havoc in eczema.
Based at The University of Manchester and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, they found that when nutrients run low, many friendly staphylococcal species release tiny lipopeptides as they age that calm the skin’s immune response. The lipopeptides stop keratinocytes — the skin’s frontline cells — from pumping out Interleukin-33 (IL‑33), a major driver of allergic inflammation.
The discovery, they say, potentially open the door to a new class of safe, stable, non‑infectious treatments that could help millions living with skin and other allergic diseases.
The findings are the latest breakthrough by the team, after previously showing that a protein released by Staphylococcus aureus, known as Sbi, triggers IL-33 and sparks eczema flare‑ups. Applying the lipopeptides to the skin of mice prevented IL‑33 release and stopped eczema from developing."
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/bug-hope-to-beat-eczema/
Research gives new insights into the role of inflammation in myelin repair
MS SOCIETY, CAMBRIDGE CENTRE FOR MYELIN REPAIR | RATS
"Dr OmaR de Faria Jr and colleagues at the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair wanted to understand how damage in one part of the brain might affect other areas.
Our brains are made up of grey matter and white matter. Grey matter is responsible for processing and interpreting information. White matter is made up of nerve fibres that allow different parts of our brain to communicate with each other. Myelin gives white matter its colour.
They created a small area of damage in the white matter of a rat’s brain. And looked at what happened in connected areas of the grey matter.
They discovered myelin damage in the white matter caused changes in the grey matter. Including the activation of the brain’s immune cells, leading to inflammation."
The cell keeps the score: ‘memory’, inflammation and bowel cancer
CANCER RESEARCH UK | RATS
"Cancer Grand Challenges team PROSPECT has found evidence that cells can fall into the same trap. The team’s latest animal study suggests that the way some bowel cells remember the body’s natural healing process (inflammation) could be priming them to turn into tumours.
To create a mouse model for their study, the researchers used a chemical to mirror the effects of chronic colitis. Afterwards, they looked for changes in the mice’s bowel cells.
Through the microscope, the bowel cells looked normal; but their DNA told another story. It had picked up a distinct set of chemical marks, some of which had gathered around genes targeted by a protein called Activator Protein 1 (AP-1).
AP-1 is a special type of protein known as a transcription factor. Its job is to control when cells read and use genes involved in healing and regeneration."
ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE
New vaccine platform shows promise against pig coronaviruses
THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE | PIGS
"Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have tested an innovative vaccine platform developed by SpyBiotech Ltd that could transform how coronaviruses are controlled in livestock, and potentially help guard against future zoonotic outbreaks in humans.
Many of these viruses originate in animals. Pigs are of particular interest as they are susceptible to multiple coronaviruses some of which cause serve morbidity and mortality in pigs but also some types of porcine coronaviruses can be transmitted to humans.
Their approach was based on a replication-defective adenovirus vector - an engineered DNA virus used in biotechnology to deliver genetic material, such as a gene or a vaccine antigen, directly into the target cell. The platform is enhanced using a molecular “superglue” system, allowing viral proteins to be displayed also on the surface of the vaccine particle.
The team showed vaccines encoding key coronavirus proteins, Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N), were highly effective in pigs, significantly reducing viral load and almost completely preventing lung damage following infection. When the vaccine particles were ‘decorated’ with an additional spike fragment, known as the receptor-binding domain (RBD), immune responses improved.
Animals receiving the decorated vaccine showed stronger neutralising antibody responses in both blood and lung samples, along with indications of reduced viral shedding from the upper respiratory tract, suggesting potential to limit transmission."
https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/new-vaccine-platform-shows-promise-against-pig-coronaviruses
Researchers identify mutations driving bird flu vaccine escape
THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE | CHICKENS
"Research led by The Pirbright Institute has identified specific mutations in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein of H5 avian influenza viruses that significantly influence how well poultry vaccines work, providing insights that could improve global vaccine design and disease control strategies.
Pirbright researchers, investigated the molecular drivers of these antigenic differences. Using reverse genetics, the team generated recombinant viruses representing multiple H5 clades and analysed their antigenic relationships using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays and antigenic cartography. These methods allowed the scientists to visualise how different viral strains relate to one another immunologically.
Published today in the Journal of Virology, their findings show viruses belonging to clade 2.3.4.4 are clearly distinct from other H5 lineages and exhibit substantial diversity even within the clade itself. By combining antigenic data with genetic comparisons, the researchers identified 48 candidate amino acid positions in the HA protein that may influence antigenic variation."
https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/researchers-identify-mutations-driving-bird-flu-vaccine-escape
Pirbright Institute scientist recognised for outstanding global service to veterinary science
THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE | INFLUENZA, NEWCASTLE DISEASE
"A leading scientist at The Pirbright Institute, Professor Ian Brown OBE, has been awarded a Gold Medal at the 93rd World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) general session in recognition of his global contribution to understanding influenza.
The annual award is granted to one person worldwide in recognition of their outstanding service in the field of veterinary science and their contribution to the scientific and technological development of WOAH’s activities.
Professor Brown, who leads the Avian Virology group at Pirbright, is internationally recognised for his expertise in animal influenza and Newcastle disease. He has devoted more than 50 years to advancing veterinary virology, disease surveillance and international preparedness."
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Last edited: 28 May 2026 12:39
