The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s board of directors announced March 15 that it has authorized $1,661,180 to fund 15 new and 10 ongoing projects at 16 universities and colleges as well as further projects. three career development awards. The 2022 team brings Grayson’s total since 1983 to more than $32.1 million to work on 412 projects at 45 universities.
Jamie Haydon, president of the foundation, said: “Grayson aims to support projects that address a wide range of equine health issues and this diversity can be seen in our approved projects. this year,” said Jamie Haydon, the foundation’s president. “We could not have funded these research projects and career development awards without the generosity of our sponsors and we are grateful to them for recognizing the importance of veterinary research. on a horse.”
An alphabetical list by field of new projects is as follows:
Persistence of antibiotic resistance in equine farms
Laura Huber, Auburn University
This project will determine the effect of antimicrobial stress on multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus. stable in the farmland for a period of five years.
Evaluation of extracellular vesicles from fetal-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a therapy for endometritis
Fiona Hollinshead, Colorado State University
This project will evaluate extracellular vesicles from equine fetal mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for endometritis.
Development of a model of Palmar myelopathy
Chris Kawcak, Colorado State University
The objective of this proposal is to develop an experimental model of equine palmar fasciitis to better study disease progression and facilitate the development of improved treatment strategies.
Development of a Vectored vaccine to treat Rotavirus A
Mariano Carossino, Louisiana State University
A novel viral vector vaccine against rotavirus A (G3 and G14), the leading cause of diarrhea in ponies, will be designed and evaluated in mares and neonatal mouse models as an proof of concept.
Novel Strangles vaccine uses targeted delivery of CD40
Luc Berghman, Texas A&M University
This project will target the bacterial components of Streptococcus Equi spp. equipping equine immune surveillance cells (APCs) to induce a rapid and potent immune response to protect from strangulation.
Immunity Trained in Foals
Angela Bordin, Texas A&M University
This project will investigate how oral administration of live bacteria protects foals against infection with the bacterium Rhodococcus Equi, the cause of severe and debilitating pneumonia in ponies, to develop a vaccine. -please in the future.
Foals immunogenicity of the mRNA vaccine for R. Equi
Noah Cohen, Texas A&M University
This study proposes to develop an inhaled mRNA vaccine to protect foals against Rhodococcus Equi-induced pneumonia.
Does antibiotic treatment change the resistance of microorganisms?
Paul Morley, Texas A&M University
This study will compare four antibiotic treatments with which these regimens can be chosen to treat bacterial infections while minimizing the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance.
Immunomodulatory and Exosomes to enhance tendon healing
Sushmitha Durgam, Ohio State University
This study aimed to characterize M1 and M2 macrophage-derived inflammatory factors and evaluate their effects on the tenocyte cell activities of the concurrent digital flexor tendon. examine the potential of extracellular vesicles/exosomes to enhance tendon healing.
Pharmacokinetics of oral Mycophenolate Mofetil in horses
Gwendolen Lorch, Ohio State University
This proposal will evaluate the pharmacokinetics of orally administered mycophenolate mofetil as a safe, effective, and inexpensive immunosuppressant for the management of immune-mediated disease in horses.
Horse Placenta: A New Approach to an Old Problem
Pouya Dini, University of California, Davis
The objective of this study was to identify the pathogens associated with placental inflammation and to investigate their interactions with the placenta using bioinformatics and in vitro studies to develop methods better diagnosis and treatment.
Movement of the proximal Sesamoid bones on the leg is not uniform
Susan Stover, University of California, Davis
This study proposes to determine how footing structure, shoe construction and uneven track surface may contribute to fetch failure.
Effect of Vitamin D and Cortisol in R.
Kelsey Hart, University of Georgia
This study will investigate how blood cortisol and vitamin D levels are related to the development and progression of Rhodococcus equivalent pneumonitis in foals after natural exposure.
Fentanyl Matrix Patches in Horses
Rachel Reed, University of Georgia
This study aimed to show that fentanyl administered through the skin patches is well absorbed and represents a promising means of clinically relevant ongoing pain relief for horses.
Sirolimus for the management of dysregulation of insulin
Andrew Van Eps, University of Pennsylvania
This study will evaluate sirolimus (a potent inhibitor of insulin production) for the treatment of insulin dysregulation (the most important cause of meningitis) in horses.
The link between training and stress response in racehorse bones was the subject of a research project funded by the Garyson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
Career Development Award
The Storm Cat Career Development Award, inaugurated in 2006, awards $20,000 to an individual considering a career in equine research. This year Grayson named two recipients. The first was Dr. Rosemary Bayless of North Carolina State University. Dr. Bayless has completed her residency and is in a research training position under the mentorship of Dr. Katie Sheets. Her project is “Cell-free DNA as a biomarker in equine colon patients.” The second recipient was Dr. Sarah K. Shaffer from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Shaffer’s research project is “Linking Training to Stress Response in Racehorse Bones” and will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Susan Stover.
The Elaine and Bertram Klein Career Development Award was first presented in 2015 and grants $20,000 to a prospective equine researcher. This year’s recipient is Dr. Bruno C. Menarim from the Gluck Horse Research Center at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Menarim’s current research focuses on “Activation of PPAR-y in Arthritis Treatment” and will be conducted in consultation with Dr. James MacLeod.
“Grayson’s career development awards have a proven track record in supporting the next generation of leading equine researchers and we are delighted to be able to award grants to three deserving individuals. this year,” said Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, an adviser to the study.
