research studies » current studies
In 2008, Morris Animal Foundation will fund nearly 200 new and continuing studies for dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, and wildlife as well as more than 40 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.
Category
D07FE-612: The Development of an In Vitro Cell Culture System for Cytauxzoon Felis
principal investigator: Shirin Modaresi, Veterinary Student Scholar, The University of Georgia
needs sponsorship
Year: 1 of 1. $5,000
This project will study a deadly blood parasite of domestic cats called Cytauxzoon felis. Cats contract C. felis when they are bitten by a tick that has already bitten an infected cat or bobcat. In the past, nearly all infected cats died, but recently some have survived. One hypothesis as to why cats are surviving is that the parasite itself has become less deadly. The student will study many samples of the parasite to look for genetic differences. Currently, scientists and veterinarians are able to study this parasite only when using infected cats, so the researchers in this study are working to develop a new method of studying C. felis in the laboratory. This would involve growing and analyzing blood cells rather than using live animals. Since there is no good treatment for this parasitic infection and because it can cause such severe disease and death in pet cats, learning about C. felis could save many cats' lives in the future.
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