A collaborative research project between Amphoraxe Life Sciences Inc., the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the University of Victoria will investigate the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) against Avian pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella Enterica in poultry.
The Government of Canada invested $892,122 in the research through its AgriScience Program – Projects Component, according to a June 22 press release.
“Investing in research that supports new, science-based tools for Canadian farmers and food producers is critical as we work to address antimicrobial resistance. Projects like this will help farmers protect poultry health, strengthen food safety, and reduce the need for antibiotics in our food system,” stated the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Over the course of the project, the team will select, produce and rigorously evaluate up to ten candidate formulations using sustainable production methods, confirming their safety and effectiveness for use in poultry.
AMP as an antibiotic alternative
AMPs could have broad-spectrum activity against diverse microbial pathogens and can be given as additives in feed and water, topical products and for in ovo injection.
“Antimicrobial resistance is steadily eroding the effectiveness of the antibiotics poultry producers have relied on for decades. With this project, we are using advanced genomics, artificial intelligence (AI) and peptide engineering to build a new, Canadian-made toolbox so farmers can keep flocks healthy, protect food safety and stay competitive without depending on traditional antibiotics,” said Dr. Inanc Birol, professor of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia and CSO, Amphoraxe Life Sciences Inc.
According to Amphoraze’s website, AMPs are proteins that all living organisms produce naturally as part of their immune systems that could kill many kinds of bacteria, including medically important antibiotic-resistant strains, without toxicity against animal cells.
“AMPs kill a broad spectrum of pathogens,” Birol explained at the 2021 Poultry Tech Summit. “They act faster, and they usually do not interact with the DNA of their target bacteria. As a result, the pathogens do not evolve into superbugs as fast as they would when treated with antibiotics.”
Poultry Tech Summit to return in 2027
The Poultry Tech Summit brings together inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs, poultry industry professionals and established technology providers to discuss challenges and solutions for all aspects of the poultry supply chain. This one-of-a-kind event focuses on the transition of innovative technologies from researchers and entrepreneurs into commercial applications for the benefit of the poultry industry.
Details about the 2027 Poultry Tech Summit will be unveiled this fall. For more information, go to www.poultrytechsummit.com.
