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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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Category: research Genomics Sequencing Center offers personalized research resources , articleOne of several research infrastructure facilities supported by the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, the Genomics Sequencing Center hosts a team of molecular biologists and uses next-generation sequencing technologies that will save researchers time, money, and risk.
Date: Feb 21, 2025 -
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Virginia Tech Global Distinction National Dialogue on ethics in pandemic science brought researchers and community together , articleThere are plans to hold biennial National Dialogue events in community spaces, such as libraries and nonprofit centers.
Date: Feb 20, 2025 -
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Category: research 'Curious Conversations' podcast: Eli Vlaisavljevich talks about the cancer-fighting bubbles of histotripsy , articleVlaisavljevich explained the mechanics of how histotripsy, a novel ultrasound therapy for cancer treatment, works, its clinical applications, and the body's immune response to it.
Date: Feb 17, 2025 -
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Category: research Veterinary college researcher Kylene Kehn-Hall receives 2024 Zoetis Research Excellence Award , articleKehn-Hall's lab uses artificial intelligence to unlock the secrets of hemorrhagic fever viruses.
Date: Feb 11, 2025 -
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Category: research John Rossmeisl receives Virginia’s top faculty honor , articleRossmeisl, whose research focuses on developing treatment options for brain cancers that are difficult to treat in dogs and humans, received a 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Date: Jan 29, 2025 -
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Category: research Study maps key stages of immune response to deadly fungal infection , articleKirsten Nielsen's latest research as part of the Center for One Health Research reveals a precise timeline of immune responses that could reshape treatment strategies.
Date: Jan 15, 2025 -
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Category: research Virginia Tech student explores promising treatment avenue for lupus , articleWith support from a new National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award F30 award, Oakland is exploring an approach that uses DNA-like molecules that imitate bacterial DNA and have the potential to possibly ease lupus symptoms.
Date: Dec 17, 2024 -
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Category: research New Virginia Tech cancer researcher seeks to understand and predict deadly tumor metastasis , articleShenglin Mei, the newest principal investigator of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute Cancer Research Center in Washington, D.C., applies computational biology, genetics, and immunology to study cancer’s spread away from the primary tumor.
Date: Dec 17, 2024