The University of Liverpool has strengthened its international research links following a visit from Professor M. C. Harish of Thiruvalluvar University, India, and the award of new funding to support collaborative vaccine development for poultry health.
Professor Harish visited the Poultry Infection, Immunity and Vaccinology Group, led by Professor Kannan Ganapathy, on 19–20 January 2026 to explore opportunities for joint research, with a particular focus on plant‑based vaccinology. During the visit, he met with members of the group and received an overview of their current work through presentations delivered by Professor Ganapathy, Dr Emily Herschell‑Kelly, Dr Congriev Kumar Kabiraj, Dr Hani Alnaikhli and Dr Abbie Hinds. These highlighted ongoing investigations into declining egg production in UK poultry flocks and the use of E. coli‑expressed recombinant proteins to advance disease diagnosis and vaccination.
Professor Harish also toured the laboratory facilities at Leahurst and IC2, and delivered a departmental seminar on innovations in human therapeutics and veterinary vaccines, with a particular focus on plant‑based peptide synthesis. The seminar generated lively discussion among colleagues across the department.
This growing partnership has now been strengthened by a £62,124 BactiVac Catalyst Funding Award for the project ‘Experimental development of an affordable E. coli‑ and plant‑based multiepitope surface protein vaccine against Mycoplasma gallisepticum for chickens.’ The project will be led by Professor Ganapathy in collaboration with Professor Nick Evans, Dr Emily Herschell‑Kelly and Professor Harish.
Professor Ganapathy said: “Professor Harish’s visit has helped deepen our collaboration and identify exciting opportunities for joint vaccine development. We are delighted to be working together through the BactiVac award to advance affordable solutions for poultry health.”