The Jockey Club Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today that it has authorized expenditure of $1,498,077 to fund 12 new projects and nine continuing projects at 13 universities as well as two career development awards. The 2023 slate of research brings Graysons totals since 1983 to more than $34.1 million to underwrite 426 projects at 45universities.
The Grayson Foundation is dedicated to tackling a variety of equine health challenges, which is clearly reflected in our selected projects for this year, said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. Our research projects and career development awards wouldnt be possible without the kindness of our donors, and we thank them for their understanding of the significance of equine veterinary research.
Below is an alphabetical list by school of the new projects:
Transcriptomic Response To OsteoarthritisLynn Pezzanite, Colorado State UniversityThis study will highlight the role that cells of the immune system play to contributing to disease progression of osteoarthritis toward the goal of developing treatments for each stage of disease.
Efficacy of Recombinant Equine Lubricin for OsteoarthritisHeidi Reesink, Cornell UniversityThis study will assess efficacy of recombinant equine lubricin (rEqLub) in mitigating equine joint disease and identify gene and protein pathways affected by rEqLub in equine joints.
Treatment Of Meniscal Injury With Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Aimee Colbath, Cornell University
This study will determine whether intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells lead to improved meniscal healing, providing an immediate impact on how veterinarians treat equine meniscal disease.
Stem Cell Neotissue Implants for Equine Tendon HealingMandi J. Lopez, Louisiana State UniversityThis study will determine if viable neotissue implants generated from stem cells will augment current therapies to treat debilitating tendon injuries in equine athletes and companions.
Gallium Nitrate to Treat Bacterial Endometritis in MaresDale Kelley, Oklahoma State UniversityThis study proposes to develop new, safe, and efficacious antimicrobial strategies to treat antimicrobial resistance.
A VapA mRNA Vaccine for R. equi PneumoniaNoah Cohen, Texas A&M AgriLife ResearchThis grant evaluates an mRNA vaccine administered intramuscularly to foals to protect against pneumonia caused by the bacterium Rhodococcus equi, a major cause of disease and death in foals worldwide.
Genomics of Thoroughbred Stallion Subfertility
Terje Raudsepp, Texas A&M University
This project aims to identify candidate genes and regulatory variants underlying impaired acrosome reaction and subfertility in Thoroughbred stallions using multi-platform genomics.
Validation of Biomarkers for Equine NeurodegenerationCarrie J. Finno, University of California DavisIt is expected that this study will improve the diagnosis of spinal cord disease in horses.
PET MRI Sport Horse FetlockMathieu Spriet, University of California DavisThis study will compare 18F-NaF positron emission tomography (PET) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of fetlock injuries in sport horses.
Antibiotic Effects On Uterine Microbiome and ResistomeIgor Canisso, University of IllinoisThis is a study of uterine microbiome and resistome of mares resistant and susceptible to endometritis treated with post-mating antibiotics.
Nanoparticle Vaccines For Equine Rotavirus BFeng Li, University of KentuckyThe vaccine candidate developed from this project will help the equine industry to control and prevent equine rotavirus B infection.
An efficacious EPM vaccine is on the waySharon Witonsky, Virginia-Maryland CVMThis study plans to identify potential MHC class I CD8 and MHC class II CD4 protective epitopes for an efficacious vaccine against Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis due to Sarcocystis neurona.
Career Development Awards
The Storm Cat Career Development Award, inaugurated in 2006, grants $20,000 to an individual considering a career in equine research. This year, Graysonawarded Dr. Shun Shune Kimura of University of Georgia. Dr. Kimuras research will investigate how immune and metabolic responses in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) impact disease severity, and determine if metformin has beneficial anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects in equine SIRS.
The Elaine and Bertram Klein Career Development Award was first awarded in 2015 and grants $20,000 to a prospective equine researcher. This years recipient isDr. Bethanie Cooper of North Carolina State University. Dr. Coopers research, entitled, Myristoylated Alanine Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) protein as a therapeutic target in equine asthma, will examine this new protein-based therapy as a potential treatment for horses suffering with equine asthma.
The track record of Graysons career development awards in supporting up-and-coming equine researchers is undeniable, and we are thrilled to extend grants to two deserving recipients this year, said Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, who serves as a consultant for the research advisory committee and is the A. Gary Lavin Chair of the foundation.
Click here for Details on the new projects.
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nations leading source of equine research funding. The projects it supports enhance the health and safety of horses of all breeds. Additional information about the foundation is available atgrayson.jockeyclub.org.
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Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Approves 2023 Funding - Past The Wire