fyi ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Susan Little DVM <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mar 10, 2007 3:49 PM Subject: [Persian_Rescue] Winn Feline Foundation Announces 2007 Grant Recipients To: list suppressed <Recipient>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2007 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Janet Wolf, Executive Director Phone: 856-447-9798 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Susan Little DVM, President Phone: 613-741-2460 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Winn Feline Foundation Announces 2007 Grant Recipients: Eight studies funded for a total of $127,544 The Winn Feline Foundation is pleased to receive proposals from veterinary researchers around the world who are interested in improving feline health. Out of 40 proposals for 2007, our team of outstanding veterinary consultants helped the Foundation select the best studies for funding. We look forward to seeing the results of these studies and being able to share them with the veterinary community as well as cat owners and pedigreed cat breeders. For complete information on these studies, please visit us at: www.winnfelinehealth.org Targeted gene mapping in gaps of the feline-human comparative map William J. Murphy, PhD; Texas A&M University; $14,585 The male-specific region of the mammalian Y chromosome is particularly unique, and is perhaps the single most divergent region in mammalian genomes among species. This project will isolate cat Y chromosome genes, and determine which may be good candidates for abnormal sperm function. Molecular characterization of feline COX-2 and expression in mammary cancer Monique Doré, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVP; University of Montreal; $15,000 Tumors originating from the mammary gland represent one of the most frequent forms of cancer in cats. However, very little information is known on the mechanisms involved in the development of this cancer. A better understanding of the role of COX-2 in feline mammary cancer will help design new strategies for cancer therapy and prevention in cats. [This study was partially funded by the efforts of the Siamese Breed Council and many other interested breeders.] Molecular evaluation of the feline myosin heavy chain gene in Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest cats and Sphynx with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Washington State University; $31,550 Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of heart disease in the adult cat. Increasingly, feline HCM is suspected to be inherited, with examples noted in the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat and Sphynx breeds, among others. The researchers hypothesize that a mutation in the myosin heavy chain gene is associated with the development of HCM in one or all of these breeds. [This study was largely funded by the efforts of Ragdoll, Norwegian Forest Cat and Sphynx breeders. This study was also supported by the Ricky Fund, a fund for the study of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy established by Steve Dale in memory of his cat, Ricky.] Prevalence and risk factors for venereal Tritrichomonas foetus infection Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD; North Carolina State University; $12,465 Tritrichomonas foetus (TF) is a protozoan pathogen that infects the feline colon resulting in chronic, foul-smelling diarrhea. The infection is very common, especially in multi-cat environments. The researcher has noted that male cats are often the ones failing treatment for TF infection, leading them to surmise that TF may also reside in the reproductive tract of cats. Venereal involvement in feline TF may explain cases of treatment failure and the high prevalence of disease in some breeding programs. Evidence of effective drug delivery using transdermal gel delivery systems in cats Dawn Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP; Auburn University, $14,990 The administration of drugs using a transdermal gel applied to the ear is popular among cat owners because of ease of administration. This study will examine the ability of gels to deliver drugs into the bloodstream of cats following several days to weeks of therapy. Drugs to be studied will be among those most commonly administered as a gel (prednisolone/prednisone, methimazole and metronidazole). Characterization of feline immune responses to recombinant DNA vaccines against avian H5N1 influenza virus Elizabeth W. Uhl, DVM, PhD, DACVP; University of Georgia; $15,000 The discovery that cats can be infected with bird (H5N1) flu, and can transmit the disease to other cats has increased concerns about their risk of infection and role in transmission. The goal of this project is to develop a recombinant DNA vaccine that induces protective immune responses in cats. To achieve this goal, the researchers have assembled a collaborative team with the expertise to make the vaccines, assess feline immune responses, and ensure the proper and humane handling of cats. Detection of anti-erythrocyte antibodies in cats with anemia Kristy L. Dowers, DVM, MS, DACVIM; Colorado State University; $8,954 Red blood cell destruction due to autoantibodies can lead to a life- threatening anemia known as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in many species, including cats. This study will analyze blood samples from cats that develop IMHA to assess the role of infectious agents in this life-threatening disease and to develop cutting edge techniques for identifying the autoantibodies on feline red blood cells that cause the destruction. Mesenchymal stem cell transfer for treatment of chronic renal disease in cats Steven Dow, DVM, PhD; Colorado State University; $15,000 Chronic kidney disease remains a leading cause of death in cats. Recent studies using rodent models suggest that stem cell therapy has the potential to actually improve kidney function in animals in kidney failure. In this study the researcher will investigate the safety and potential effectiveness of injections of stem cells as a treatment for improving kidney function for cats with kidney failure. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! 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