The Bezos Earth Fund(external link) has announced it will fund an international consortium which will build scientific evidence for a vaccine that can reduce the number and activity of methane-producing microbes in a cow’s stomach.
The $USD9.4 million research project will be led by researchers at The Pirbright Institute(external link) and the Royal Veterinary College.
AgResearch will add expertise in rumen microbiology and vaccine development to the consortium and receive about a third of the funding allocation.
AgResearch Principal Scientist Neil Wedlock said: “This funding announcement is a welcome boost for methane vaccine research. We are excited to be collaborating with the Pirbright Institute and will provide our research expertise and capability.
“The work will also complement the research we are doing here in New Zealand with the backing of AgriZeroNZ and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.”
AgriZeroNZ is setting up a new venture in New Zealand to accelerate development of the vaccine, building on more than 15 years of pioneering science led by AgResearch and funded by the New Zealand government, industry and through the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.
The new venture aims to catalyse more of these types of global collaborations and international funding to accelerate scientific progress and get a vaccine into the hands of farmers sooner.
Dr Wedlock said: “This latest international funding announcement shows how important the work is and what might be achieved with international collaboration.”
The project comprises two key components, each tackling different aspects of the challenge:
1. Early Development of Immune Response:
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), will study how and when methane-producing microbes (methanogens) colonize the digestive tract of calves and how the immune system responds. Advanced techniques such as multi-omics, histology, and immunology will be used to gain insights into these early interactions. They will also develop methanogens with fluorescent markers to track microbial interactions.
2. Antibody Response and Vaccine Development:
Scientists from the Pirbright Institute and AgResearch will identify and characterise specific antibodies needed to target methanogens effectively. This involves isolating antibodies from immunized cattle and testing their effectiveness in lab conditions. By driving cross-reactive antibody responses and generating panels of antibodies, researchers aim to establish a proof of concept for a methane vaccine.
To read the full press release from the Bezos Earth Fund click here:(external link)
About the Bezos Earth Fund
The Bezos Earth Fund is helping transform the fight against climate change with the largest ever philanthropic commitment to climate and nature protection. Jeff Bezos has committed $10 billion in this decisive decade to protect nature and address climate change. By providing funding and expertise, we partner with organizations to accelerate innovation, break down barriers to success and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Join us in our mission to create a world where people prosper in harmony with nature.
About AgriZeroNZ
AgriZeroNZ is a world-first public-private joint venture focused on helping farmers cut emissions while maintaining their competitive edge. Established on 1 February 2023, the JV is half owned by the New Zealand government through the Ministry for Primary Industries and the other half owned by private sector companies - The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO, ASB Bank, BNZ, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait. Private sector funding is matched by Government, dollar-for-dollar, to provide $191 million over AgriZeroNZ’s first four years.
Click here(external link) for more information about our work to accelerate the vaccine development.
