Three remarkable research projects from the Department of Animal Sciences reflect the diversity of scholarly activity underway during 2007. One project examines the ethanol industry’s hunger for more corn as it impacts the amount of grain available for livestock production, and looks for solutions that will benefit both industries. Another project uses chickens as models for understanding ovarian cancer in humans. And a third is perfecting a technique in pigs that will eventually help grow new bone and tissue in humans.
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Five years from now, human testing might be under way on the fruits of a large-scale research project that includes the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences. In essence, the project seeks to grow new bone and other tissue in humans by using techniques perfected in swine.
Understanding and treatment of human ovarian cancer, known as the silent killer, may be a step closer, thanks to some chickens at the University of Illinois. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in women; and unlike other cancers, its rate of mortality has not been reduced.
Research under way in the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences has developed methods for allowing the same field of corn to be used for the production of livestock feed and ethanol.