current studies
In 2008, Morris Animal Foundation will fund about 120 new and continuing studies for dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, and wildlife as well as 30 veterinary student projects.
We also have numerous studies nearing completion. You can search our current study database by species and/or disease to learn more about the studies we are funding in the areas you care most about. The results will also show you whether a study is available for sponsorship.
INSTRUCTIONS - Select a division from the left column, a disease or disorder from the middle column, and a study ID number from the right column.
D07EQ-056: “Antibody Mediated Regulation of T Cell Immunity to Rhodococcus equi”
principal investigator: Dr. Stephen Hines, Washington State University
needs sponsorship
Co-sponsors: Arabian Horse Association of Arizona
year: 1 of 3: $57,740.00
Pneumonia due to Rhodococcus equi causes life-threatening illness in foals. A vaccine to prevent rhodococcal pneumonia would be widely used and have a dramatic impact on the health of young horses. Unfortunately, scientists still lack the basic understanding of the equine immune system, particularly neonatal immunity, that is necessary for vaccine development. One hurdle to vaccine development is that immunization likely would need to be initiated very early in life, before the foal’s immune system is fully mature. The researchers seek to determine whether immunization of the mare could be used to induce antibodies that when passed to newborn foals would enhance their ability to develop the protective immune responses required for protection against R. equi.
