Feline Foundation Announces 2007 Grant Recipients

The Winn Feline Foundation, the nonprofit which funds medical studies that improve the health and welfare of cats, has announced that out of 40 proposals for 2007, the foundation and a team of veterinary consultants has selected eight studies for funding.

The eight studies will receive a total of $127,544 in funding, according to the foundation.

The winning studies were:

• Targeted gene mapping in gaps of the feline-human comparative map. Study author: William J. Murphy, PhD, Texas A&M University. Grant amount: $14,585.
• Molecular characterization of feline COX-2 and expression in mammary cancer. Study author: Monique Doré, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVP, University of Montreal. Grant amount: $15,000.
• Molecular evaluation of the feline myosin heavy chain gene in Ragdolls, Norwegian Forest Cats and Sphynx with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  Study author: Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Washington State University. Grant amount: $31,550.
• Prevalence and risk factors for venereal Tritrichomonas foetus infection.
  Study author: Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD, North Carolina State University. Grant amount: $12,465.
• Evidence of effective drug delivery using transdermal gel delivery systems in cats. Study author: Dawn Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP, Auburn University. Grant amount: $14,990.
• Characterization of feline immune responses to recombinant DNA vaccines against avian H5N1 influenza virus. Study author: Elizabeth W. Uhl, DVM, PhD, DACVP, University of Georgia. Grant amount: $15,000.
• Detection of anti-erythrocyte antibodies in cats with anemia. Study author:
  Kristy L. Dowers, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Colorado State University. Grant amount: $8,954.
• Mesenchymal stem cell transfer for treatment of chronic renal disease in cats. Study author: Steven Dow, DVM, PhD, Colorado State University. Grant amount: $15,000.

Click here for complete information on the studies.