Randy Prather, an MU researcher, helped collaborate on one of the more intriguing projects in recent years. He and his colleagues at Harvard and the University of Pittsburgh developed pigs capable of producing their own omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart disease. This research may have implications for human health.

The project was ranked No. 38 on Discover magazine’s top 100 science stories of 2006. The research was even featured on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

“You could potentially create very healthy pork, but now there’s a genetic model to actually understand exactly how Omega 3 fatty acids promote heart health,” said Jim Coleman, vice chancellor for research at the University of Missouri. He noted that Prather will soon publish a swine study that examines cystic fibrosis.

Another MU researcher, James Cook, is working on research to treat joint disease in animals, which would help remedy arthritis in people. Cook is also developing a replacement joint from real bone and cartilage in dogs that may lead to superior replacement joints in human knees.

Although the passing of Amendment 2 in Missouri in November protected stem-cell research allowed by federal law, Coleman observed that MU has only two projects involving stem-cell research. At Kansas State, Trewyn said that his university has a patent pending on the isolation of stem cells from umbilical cord matrix. The patent has been submitted for two years.

Trewyn is pleased that Ventria Bio-science of Sacramento, Calif., is planning a new facility in Junction City, Kan., about 20 miles from the Manhattan campus. Ventria uses rice-based products that help reduce the duration of diarrhea in children by 30 percent.

The opening of Ventria in Junction City is viewed as a significant advancement in Kansas’ involvement in the biotechnology industry.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority, through the passage of the Kansas Economic Growth Act in April 2004, is expected to generate funding of more than $580 million over 15 years.

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