AgBioResearch

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Since 1888, Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists have endeavored to discover dynamic solutions for growers, producers and ranchers as part of a nationwide network of agricultural experiment stations. Today, the AgBioResearch mission has expanded to reflect a more robust research portfolio that includes agriculture, health and the environment.

Woven throughout the organization is One Health, a concept that highlights the connection among humans, animals, plants and the environment. Although it’s not a new idea, One Health has become increasingly relevant as human interactions with animals and ecosystems continue to evolve due to population growth, land use changes and international trade.

These shifts can create a multitude of threats, such as food insecurity, a heightened risk of zoonotic diseases that spread from animals to humans, antimicrobial resistance, environmental degradation and water quality issues.

“It’s essential to recognize that all of these systems are interrelated and dependent on one another to remain healthy,” said George Smith, AgBioResearch director. “To solve these complex problems, we must bring together and catalyze collaborations among experts from a variety of human, animal, plant and environmental health fields who can speak to the unique aspects of their work.

“We can’t solve anything by operating in silos, and that’s why we’re excited about our work in AgBioResearch and how it complements the overall MSU emphasis on One Health.”

At the university level, MSU recently created a One Health Council to position the institution as a global leader in health sciences. The group is composed of several MSU health science leaders and supports the One Team, One Health Initiative at the university.

While also exploring the reconfiguration of MSU colleges and units to offer the most effective and efficient services, the One Health Council includes four task forces focused on issues related to education and workforce development; addressing environmental contaminants of air, soil and water; strengthening food safety, security and nutrition; and preparedness and responses to enduring and emerging infectious diseases.

Each of these areas is foundational to the work of AgBioResearch, which includes more than 300 scientists in seven MSU colleges.

Matthew Daum, associate provost and dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), said One Health meshes well with the college and AgBioResearch’s goals. Many AgBioResearch scientists are also CANR faculty members performing applied research that’s delivered directly to the industries they support.

“One Health is an exciting framework for advancing public health because it engages with the intersections of human, animal and ecosystem health — work that’s central to CANR’s mission,” Daum said. “Across our departments and schools, researchers move the needle on preventing diseases across species, supplying safe, nutritious food, and ensuring that people and animals can live in health-promoting environments. AgBioResearch is a key player in that space.”

Researchers from the MSU College of Natural Science conduct studies on more basic, fundamental issues, and AgBioResearch supports several of these endeavors. Learning more about the mechanisms that control how humans, animals, plants and the environment interact and respond to stressors are key aspects of this work.

“Human health can’t be separated from the health of animals, plants and the environment — they’re deeply interconnected,” said Eric Hegg, dean of the College of Natural Science. “Our researchers are uncovering how living systems interact — both beneficial and pathogenic interactions — and how those interactions are shaped by and evolve due to environmental changes and other stressors. The College of Natural Science provides the fundamental science that informs solutions across health and the environment.”

Collaborations that lead to solutions

There are numerous examples of the breadth of AgBioResearch’s efforts across the One Health spectrum. On the human health front, AgBioResearch scientist Sarah Comstock is partnering with Henry Ford Health to explore maternal obesity as a strong indicator of offspring obesity.

The five-year, $3 million project is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers are examining the gut microbiomes of mothers and their children, which has uncovered linkages between certain bacteria and obesity. The project is ongoing, and scientists are also working to determine other factors that contribute to obesity development.

Andrew Olive, an associate professor in the College of Natural Science, has dedicated his research program to understanding how host organisms and bacteria interact in chronic infections. His work focuses on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading causes of infection-related death and preventable blindness worldwide.

Using molecular-level approaches, Olive’s work can help lead to effective disease management strategies such as new vaccinations.

Although some of AgBioResearch’s efforts are specifically aimed at human health challenges, other projects are indirectly tackling them. Using animal agriculture models, scientists can solve problems facing producers while providing insight into similar human disease management.

Adam Moeser, a professor and the Matilda R. Wilson Endowed Chair in the College of Veterinary Medicine, studied how early life stress can lead to adverse health outcomes in pigs for a project funded by NIH, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and animal industry groups. Production strategies such as early weaning, which is used to optimize reproductive efficiency, also introduce stresses. Maternal separation, environmental changes, dietary adjustments and increased exposure to new pathogens can create an array of difficulties.

The team found that early weaning triggered immune responses in male and female pigs that are consistent with existing knowledge of human responses to early life stress. The goal is to develop practical strategies that lessen the negative effects of these stressors while improving pig production and human health.

Smith, who is a member of the MSU One Health research task force, said that while humans are a crucial component of One Health, the overarching concept is much broader. AgBioResearch leaders have directed the organization’s investments toward science that covers a wide range of health-related disciplines.

“Human health is at the forefront of One Health, but it’s important to note that there are a whole host of other issues that require our attention,” Smith said. “There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done with animals, plants, soil and water, just to name a few, and these systems are all connected to humans, whether it’s through the food and water we consume or the environments we enjoy. We have identified key issues to address through direct feedback from growers, producers, ranchers and natural resources professionals.”

With funding from Project GREEEN, a partnership among MSU, the Michigan Plant Coalition and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, researchers are targeting problematic pathogens that threaten crops, in addition to affecting food safety and security.

Diseases such as downy mildew in cucumbers, late blight in potatoes and tomatoes, and tar spot in corn cost growers millions in yield loss annually. With industry-driven research, MSU scientists are working to develop new fungicides, planting strategies and varieties that mitigate the damage. The results and recommendations are then delivered directly to growers through MSU Extension.

On the natural resources side, AgBioResearch has made protecting ecosystem health one of the pillars of the organization. Like research in plant and animal agriculture, this work is supported by internal grants programs, state agencies and federal funding.

One such project funded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources explored the distribution of the state’s native and invasive aquatic plants in inland lakes. These plants serve as habitat for fish and perform a variety of ecosystem services.

Researchers surveyed 78 lakes in northern Michigan to gain a better understanding of the plants within them, and parlayed that into additional funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to examine invasive plant control. The team is continuing to evaluate eradication methods for invasive plants while keeping an eye on the effects they have on native species.

“Preserving our natural resources for future generations is extremely important,” Smith said. “From protecting our drinking water and fisheries to the abundance of recreational opportunities, this work is essential to the future of our state and beyond.

“Through our work in AgBioResearch and in coordination with the MSU One Health efforts, we will continue to help position the university to address these critical issues.”

Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.