Researcher's Wish List
Dr. Bailey
Use the DNA tools to investigate gene expression in such as laminitis as well as
infectious diseases plus to identify hereditary determinants that increase the risk
for other common diseases of horses.
Dr. Cook
Continue to work in the same areas, as I believe they have tremendous potential.
In my case, the requirements are additional personnel and equipment to speed the
process.
Dr. Fitzgerald
Expand research on obesity and aging.
Dr. Horohov
Funds are needed to test new methods for increasing immune function in foals. In
particular, we would like to expand our population of foals in order to be able
to test additional products and strategies for enhancing their immune response.
We currently have a herd of 25 geriatric horses that are 20 years of age and older
that we use to characterize their immune response and test vaccination protocols.
Funds are needed to expand this herd in order to test additional products and strategies
for enhancing their immune response.
Dr. Lyons
More extensive research to be done on parasites in horses on our UK research farm
and in horses on commercial farms. More research on methods of parasite control
other than use of chemical compounds. For example, doing long-term studies on rotating
horses and cattle on pasture. This is because most parasite species are host specific.
Therefore, for instance, if horses on pasture ingest vegetation contaminated with
parasitic larvae from cattle, the larvae are killed and vise versa for cattle. Numerous
other projects could be initiated to find several methods of parasite control other
than use of chemicals. More interactive research would be possible with researchers
studying the molecular basis of drug resistance of parasites.