Dr Ian Dunn

Professor

Biography

Background

I have worked in poultry science for almost 50 years, starting on laying hen urolithiasis and deep pectoral myopathy. As a physiologist, I have been able to use genetics as a tool to understand poultry biology. With the growth of molecular biology I moved into the genetic and genomic age, understanding the neuroendocrine control of reproduction and later using more classical quantitative genetics to locate chromosomal regions controlling traits including egg quality, broodiness and bone strength. This has continued and I have applied these skills to reproduction, but particularly egg quality and bone quality in close collaboration with poultry breeders. We have characterised the gene and consequences for genetic loci, one for growth and one for bone quality and the less production orientated the molecular genetic cause of polydactyly. We have also developed new selection tools such as dynamic stiffness for egg shell quality, cuticle quantification to prevent bacterial penetration of eggs and now a method to estimate bone quality in living laying hens.  Many of these traits relate to the concept of the Long-Life-Layer. I have authored around 120 publications and I have led a group of researchers on aspects of poultry biology.

For the more formal  aspects, I have a Honours degree in Physiology and  pharmacology from the University of St Andrews  but I never took to golf.  I have a PhD from the Open University in molecular biology. I work as a professor at the Roslin Institute, which is now part of the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Research summary

Using the genetics and physiology of avian reproduction allows us to develop strategies to tackle problems as diverse as bone quality in laying hens, growth and reproduction in meat type birds, antimicrobial activity  and shell quality in eggs and the role of the egg cuticle in preventing vertical transmission of disease.

Current research interests

Our Group's interests lie in avian biology, in particular avian reproduction and growth and its consequences which include egg laying. We have a long term interest in how food, light and behaviour control reproduction and how the oviduct contributes to the formation of eggs. It has developed to include the relationship between long periods of reproductive activity and bone quality and the use of egg peptides as antimicrobials as well as aspects of satiety. Our work takes advantage of advances in genetics and genomics along with physiology to understand avian reproduction and growth. The understanding of the genetics and physiology of avian reproduction and growth allows us to develop strategies to tackle problems as diverse as bone quality in laying hens, polyfollicular ovaries in broiler breeders and antimicrobial activity and shell quality in laying hens including the ability of the egg's cuticle to prevent vertical microbial transmission. We are also increasing our understanding the control of food intake in birds. These traits all have socio-economic importance to the poultry industry. To do this we interact closely with many companies and groups in the institute and across Europe.

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