MAF awards $1.2 million to NCSU, plus more to collie research and students

Raleigh, N.C.

-- Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) again is working to further veterinary research, this time by donating more than $1.2 million to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU) for a variety of studies.

The twelve studies being funded with the grant funds by MAF include studies on: the evaluation of TREM-1 as a specific biological marker for sepsis in dogs;?the identification of metastatic signature in canine soft-tissue sarcomas; mechanisms of T. foetus epithelial pathogenicity and novel sites for pharmacological control in cats; determination and mapping of acute and chronic hypoxia in canine tumors; effects of Robenacoxib on permeability and recovery of ischemic-injured equine jejunum; cytogenetic profiling as an aid to subclassification of feline abdominal lymphoma; defining relevant pathways in feline injection-site sarcomas with gene expression analysis; development of a validated owner-based assessment system for chronic musculoskeletal pain in cats; comparative molecular cytogenics of the canidae; treatment of chronic paraparesis in dogs using a novel derivative of 4-aminopyridine; elimination of inflammation and lens capsular opacity after cataract surgery in dogs; and impact on activity, quality of life and cardiac biomarkers in cats with apparently asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy before and after atenolol.

“Funding provided by the Morris Animal Foundation is greatly appreciated by our researchers and by the CVM,” says Dr. David Dorman, associate dean for research and graduate studies at NCSU. “The mission of the Morris Animal Foundation is to fund health studies that protect, treat and cure companion animals and wildlife. Oftentimes work funded through the MAF would not be supported by other agencies. These grants help support individual research laboratories and help maintain and advance the research mission of the CVM.”

Additionally, MAF is funding research in partnership with the Collie Health Foundation to address prevention and treatments for collie health issues like bloat, seizures, autoimmune skin disorders and lymphoma. Research will be funded for up to two years at about $50,000 per year under the partnership, according to MAF.

MAF also is seeking submissions for its 2010 Veterinary Student Scholar (VSS) program, which gives veterinary students and non-veterinary graduate students hands-on involvement in clinic or basic research that aims to improve the health of companion animals and wildlife. The program is open to all students attending accredited veterinary medicine programs, but they must be nominated by their dean of research and be in good academic standing. About 60 grants of up to $4,000 will be granted. Submissions can be submitted here and are due by Feb. 5, 2010.