Dr. Jose Perez-Casal (pictured) leads vaccine development programs at VIDO against Mycoplasma bovis and bovine mastitis Photo: VIDO

Scientists are to receive funding for research into the development of vaccines against diseases affecting pigs and cattle.

Five projects from Canada's University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) are to receive Can$833,430 (US$827,119) from the government of Saskatchewan's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). VIDO projects aim to produce more effective poultry vaccines.

The projects include a genetically engineered replication-defective porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine candidate, the use of novel adjuvants for vaccines against Mycoplasma bovis and the development of live viral vectored vaccines for poultry.

VIDO is a non-profit organization owned by the University of Saskatchewan. It is supported by the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the central Canadian government and competitive grants from industry.

The ADF has awarded Can$8m in total to organizations, research bodies and companies carrying out research, development and value-added initiatives in agriculture and agri-food to date.

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