Professor Zhang Xiaofei helping research student Indrid Ypelaar while Professor Graham Wilcox looks on.

CHINESE Veterinary Professor Zhang Xiaofei believes the six months he is spending as a visiting research fellow at Murdoch’s Centre for Production Animal Research will help encourage stronger links between Murdoch and the People’s Republic of China.

The Head of Veterinary and Animal Biotechnology at the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Hefei, China, Professor Zhang said he was impressed with Murdoch’s veterinary research facilities, particularly its Centre for Production Animal Research where he is working.

“On my return to China at the end of this year I will be petitioning my Academy President to set up research linkages with Murdoch,” said Professor Zhang.

He said he hoped Murdoch staff could also visit Anhui Academy in return, to take advantage of Chinese research techniques.

Professor Zhang, who specializes in the prevention and control of viral diseases - particularly in poultry - is working with Centre for Production Animal Research virologist Professor Graham Wilcox.

Professor Wilcox said Murdoch’s Centre for Production Animal Research focused on viral diseases in horses, cattle, pigs, fish and poultry.

“Myself and colleagues, including Professor David Hampson, are utilising advanced molecular biological techniques to solve animal disease problems using the unique facilities available at Murdoch’s SABC (State Agricultural and Biotechnology Centre),” said Professor Wilcox.

Another Centre for Production Animal Research researcher, Professor David Pethick, is investigating ways of improving the quality of dark cutting meat in cattle.

Professor Wilcox is also researching circovirus infections in pigs.

He said circovirus had been associated with serious production problems in the pig industry in Europe and North America and with a recent relaxing of trade barriers, could potentially threaten Australian livestock.