Expansion and collaboration of animal biomechanics programs

Summary

Development of research and course work in the field of biomechanics has been successfully expanded this year to include collaboration with other groups. Originally a specialization within the equine science program, the biomechanics program now includes collaboration with biomedical projects and the College of Veterinary Medicine, in addition to expansion of the equine program at UGA. The new equine split level course, ADSC 4230(L)/6230(L) (Equine Anatomy and Biomechanics) has been approved through CAPA and will be taught in the spring of 2013, adding a new upper level undergraduate equine course as well as a graduate level course. Undergraduate and graduate research projects were conducted in 2012, both in the equine field as well as a large collaborative project on biomedical pigs to develop a large animal stroke model. These projects included four graduate students and 30-40 undergraduate students involved with the research. Three undergraduate students participated in the CAES Undergraduate Research Symposium, two in the equine field and one in the area of stroke model development. The biomechanics program has yielded publications and scientific presentations including one publication in an equine scientific journal in 2012 and acceptance of a manuscript from one of the 2011 equine biomechanics projects as well as acceptance of an abstract on large animal stroke model development at an international conference. Finally, recent collaboration with a pathologist at the College of Veterinary Medicine as well as an internationally recognized equine biomechanics expert will lead to future research, teaching and extension opportunities.

Situation

Animal biomechanics is a growing field in academia across the country. However, due to the relative newness and lack of training in this field, most academic programs are not able to incorporate such a program. Due to the lack of undergraduate and graduate training in the field of biomechanics, this program continues to remain exclusive to a few major universities with facilities and experts to be pioneers in the field.

Response

Over the past three years, this area of study has been incorporated into the equine program at UGA by incorporating gait analysis software into classes. The continued collaboration with a Georgia based company, EquineTec, has allowed for more widespread applications of the field of biomechanics at UGA. This has allowed for incorporation of gait analysis topics into ADS courses and also has allowed us to initiate meaningful research not only in the field of equine biomechanics, but expansion into gait analysis of other animals as well. These projects have potential impact on human health as well as animal husbandry.

Impact

Use of gait analysis software has allowed for development of an entirely new upper level undergraduate and graduate course in the ADS department, ADSC 4230(L)/6230(L), Equine Anatomy and Biomechanics. Students are currently enrolled in this class for spring semester of 2013. With the loss of Snyder Farm and the equine breeding program, the expansion of an equine biomechanics provides a way to continue strengthening our equine science program by adding an upper level undergraduate and graduate level class in the equine field as well as providing research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. In 2012, one graduate level Masters of Science project and two undergraduate/non thesis Masters projects were conducted in the area of equine biomechanics, leading to two undergraduate presentations on equine research at the CAES Undergraduate Research Symposium as well as the publication of one refereed journal article and acceptance of another manuscript to equine related scientific journals. Recent collaboration has been established with a College of Veterinary Medicine bone pathologist as well as with a world renowned equine biomechanics expert to develop potential future projects in the field of equine lameness. Additionally, the ADS department at UGA has begun to expand its biomechanics field to include animals other than horses. A major long term collaborative project with faculty members in the ADS department, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the medical college examines the effects of strokes on the brain, and recovery/improvement after strokes with new stem cell technology treatment. This project involves gait analysis of pigs in an effort to develop a large animal (porcine) stroke model to more accurately test new stroke treatments. This project is novel research to potentially develop better treatment options for stroke victims and has involved 10-15 undergraduate students in research each semester, including one who presented and placed fourth at the CAES Undergraduate Research Symposium. In addition to gait analysis of biomedical pigs, a track has recently been constructed to do biomechanics research on commercial pigs as well to conduct future research applicable to pig production in the areas of nutrition and husbandry. As more collaborative efforts using this program materialize, more students have the opportunity to conduct and be exposed to meaningful research at the graduate and undergraduate level. This also allows for incorporation of more lectures/labs in the ADS curriculum regarding innovative topics. Finally, collaboration with both industry companies, as well as other professional schools such as the College of Veterinary Medicine, allows for development of new teaching, research, and extension programs using cutting edge technology.

State Issue

Other Issue

Details

• Year: 2012
• Geographic Scope: University
• County: Clarke
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources