Under the innovative partnership, experts from the University’s Microbial Sciences Department are working with scientists from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Research collaborations between the two groups are focusing on crucial areas including Salmonella, Tuberculosis, human gastroenteritis viruses, E.coli and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals.

Professor Martin Woodward, Head of Bacteriology and chair of the VLA Training and Postgraduate Education Committee, said: “The coming together of the VLA with the University of Surrey is without doubt a major step forward for both institutions.

“Bringing together the highly-specialist skills and knowledge bases of these two powerhouses is generating a great deal of potential advances which are now being realised.

“Within a very short time, a plethora of new opportunities have arisen already ranging from inventive EPSRC projects, new ideas in post genomics and systems biology through to PhD programmes, new undergraduate courses and new approaches to training.

“In these challenging financial times, close working relations will not only strengthen both institutions but also provide long-term resilience in our respective fields for the benefit of UK plc.”

The memorandum of understanding between Surrey and the VLA is the latest in a string of collaborations between the organisations over the past year.

Other projects include joint activities in veterinary research and education, including the launch of an undergraduate programme in Veterinary Biosciences, the appointment of Professor Roberto La Rigione into a joint academic post and the award of a Visiting Professorship to Professor Woodward.

Dr Lisa Roberts, Head of the Microbial Sciences Division at the University of Surrey, said: “I am delighted with the deepening relationship between the University and VLA, particularly in bringing together our complementary research expertise to answer important research questions.”