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Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has a robust research program that spans basic biomedical sciences in infectious (viral, bacterial, and parasitic) and non-infectious (immune-mediated and oncologic) diseases to veterinary clinical research to translational to public health. The program's overall goal is to apply our research to improve the lives of pets and people.
Basic biomedical sciences include the use of appropriate animal models for diseases to better understand the disease process, a prerequisite for the development of better preventive and therapeutic strategies.
With a focus on One Health, our program brings together veterinarians, physicians, and other scientists to address public health threats affecting both people and animals.
Our translational research approach aims to take laboratory findings directly to clients in a clinical setting.
Ongoing clinical trials in our hospitals test research discoveries to develop better methods of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Our faculty, students, staff, and research partners are committed to discovery, service, and training future researchers and veterinarians.
Centers
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Center for One Health Research , articleThe Center for One Health Research (COHR) gathers faculty, staff, and students from VA-MD Vet Med and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine who have a shared interest in cooperative research and scholarship related to infectious diseases. This collaboration is founded on the two schools’ One Health philosophy, which is based on the understanding that animal health, human health, and the environment are inextricably linked; consequently, professionals from these fields must work together to protect, promote, and improve overall health. The center coordinates research, instruction, and outreach activities related to understanding the disease processes that affect both animal and human health, and supports the continued advancement of the science and technology of disease-intervention strategies.
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(Meta)Genomics-Based Pathogen Identification Center for Animal and Plant Disease Diagnostics, Biosecurity, and Pandemic Prevention , articleToday’s growing destruction of ecosystems, worldwide trade of plant and animals, and human travel exasperate the risk of plant and animal disease emergence and spread. Early detection, precise identification, and thorough characterization of emerging pathogens using agnostic genomic and metagenomic sequencing could lead to faster interventions to lower the chances that a local disease outbreak turns into an epidemic or pandemic. Therefore, at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services and the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic joined forces to establish a (meta)genomics-based pathogen identification service center for animal and plant disease diagnostics, biosecurity, and pandemic prevention.
Signature Research Programs
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Comparative, Translational, and Veterinary Research , articleResearch themes include clinical veterinary medicine research and translational medicine from laboratory animals to clinical veterinary and human patients; stem cell biology and its application; clinical trials management; and human-animal bond/interactions.
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Immune-mediated / Inflammatory Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for immune-mediated diseases, and understanding the mechanisms of such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases (eg. inflammatory bowel disease). Specific interests include role of epigenetics, microbiome, and environmental hormonal factors on these diseases; transition of inflammation leading to cancer; induction of immunity in oncologic conditions; and translational research.
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Neuropathobiology Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for neurodevelopment and traumatic injury, neurovascularization, neuroinflammation, and neuro-oncology; and translational research.
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Pathogenic Microbiology / Infectious Diseases Research , articleResearch themes include animal models for human and veterinary infectious diseases; and understanding the pathogenesis of the diseases, immunity to infectious and its prevention: development of vaccines and drugs, mechanisms of drug resistance, and translational research.
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Public Health Research , articleResearch focused on infectious diseases epidemiology and public health education that addresses the individual, social, and ecological determinants of health, reflects the human-animal-environment One Health interface, promotes health equity, and builds healthy communities.
Laboratories
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Research Training Programs
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Latest News
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Nutshell Games to inspire both audience and presenters , articleThe Nutshell Games, hosted by Virginia Tech's Center for Communicating Science, will offer graduate students this challenge: to present their research in just 90 seconds to a live audience and panel of judges. This year's event will be held Nov. 2 at the Moss Arts Center and is free and open to the public.
Date: Oct 29, 2024 -
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Neuroscientist awarded grant to study serotonin-based modulation to treat seizures , articleSharon Swanger, an assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, will use a $200,000 grant from the commonwealth to study how an approved drug impacts a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.
Date: Oct 16, 2024 -
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Grant unites humanities and health sciences for infectious disease coursework , articleFaculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences are teaming up with colleagues in the College of Science and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to create courses centered around the human dimensions of infectious disease.
Date: Oct 15, 2024 -
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In memoriam: Bernard Jortner, professor emeritus of biomedical sciences and pathobiology , articleJortner joined the veterinary college at its opening in 1980. He later became co-director of the Laboratory for Neurotoxicity Studies.
Date: Oct 13, 2024 -
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Labs establish joint genome-sequencing service to head off future pandemics , articleTesting labs in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are joining forces for a pathogen identification service to assist animal and plant disease diagnosticians.
Date: Oct 10, 2024 -
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A record seven Hokies join Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine , articleKathleen Alexander, Tom Dingus, Dan Givens, T.M. Murali, Amy Pruden, Dan Sui, and Bevlee Watford make up the university’s largest elected class to date and the largest number elected from a single Virginia institution this year.
Date: Sep 20, 2024 -
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Graduate student’s love of science leads to prestigious national fellowship , articleKaylee Petraccione received a National Institute of Health award to further her research on the molecular mechanisms enabling the Rift Valley fever virus to cause disease.
Date: Sep 17, 2024 -
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X.J. Meng receives prestigious MERIT Award to study hepatitis E virus , articleMeng, University Distinguished Professor of Molecular Virology, is the first at Virginia Tech to receive the prestigious grant from the National Institutes of Health, which offers long-term funding to exceptional researchers.
Date: Sep 13, 2024