If you think you understand Kansas City’s position as a leader in life sciences research, you just might not know the half of it. Or more precisely, two-thirds of it.

With debates about stem cell research monopolizing the headlines, it’s understandable that the term “life sciences” has almost come to be synonymous with “human health research.”

Overlooked in the hubbub are two areas that, in no uncertain terms, make the Kansas City region a global force to be reckoned with: plant and animal research. The term “global force” is not chamber of commerce hyperbole.

In fact, 26 percent of worldwide sales and 40 percent of U.S. sales within the $14.5 billion animal health industry are generated from companies that have a presence in the Kansas City region. The region is home to the headquarters, manufacturing plants or research and development facilities of more than 40 global leaders in the industry including Bayer HealthCare Animal Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Pfizer Animal Health. All told, these companies give jobs to more than 4,500 of your neighbors.

“In a way, we’re rediscovering our roots,” says Bill Duncan, president of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute. “Animal health especially is one of our areas of strength.”

Duncan mentions there are strong similarities in all areas. “Whether in plants, animals or humans, researchers are in some way focused on investigating genetics. That’s definitely a common thread linking all the areas.”

Of course, innovation in one area influences another, with all roads leading to improvements in the quality of life for humans. This article presents an overview of the types of research happening within the region. Though by no means an exhaustive list, you might be surprised by a few of the discoveries coming from your own backyard.

The Animal Kingdom

Cowtown jokes aside, Kansas ranks second and Missouri seventh in cattle and calves inventory in the U.S. As such, the region is home to prominent national and international associations within the animal health industry such as the American Angus Association, the American Hereford Association and the American International Charolais Association. In addition, Kansas City is located within 300 miles of four of the nation’s leading veterinary schools.

To Jim Guikema, assistant vice provost for research and associate dean of the Graduate School at K-State, the region’s edge in this area makes perfect sense. “It’s only natural that we bring to bear a curiosity and an expertise about the things that live around us. After all, there are more cows than people in Kansas.”

Unfortunately for the cows, much of the region’s bovine research involves protecting the nation’s food supply from disease or terrorism. Kansas City, in fact, hosted the first ever International Symposium on Agroterrorism last year and will host the conference again this year from September 25 through 29. Between 2,000 and 2,500 attendees are expected to attend and will listen to speakers from academia, government entities and non-profit organizations. Representatives from Interpol and the World Health Organization have been invited to speak, as well.

Whether a source of food or companionship, helping animals live better lives often helps humans. “Techniques are developed first with animals that may or may not have a useful purpose in humans,” says Kay Garrett, research news coordinator at K-State.

For example, James Cook, a professor of veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri, has developed an implant that could help innumerable people each year. About 10 years ago, he noticed that many dogs were suffering sports-type injuries that resulted in torn knee cartilage. The only way to surgically repair the damage, by snipping out the injured cartilage, left Rover more prone to arthritis. Millions of people who have suffered similar knee injuries experience exactly the same situation —the short-term solution results in a long-term problem.

Cook wondered about developing a process to help the cartilage, or meniscus, heal itself. In a remarkable triple play, his use of swine intestine in canines has been ap-proved for human clinical trials.

“In our studies, we have been able to grow back 90 percent of the meniscus on average,” he says. “Using tissue engineering and biological stimulation through the implantation of a scaffold made from pig intestines, we show the tissue where it needs to grow.”

While the new process has been used in more than 300 dogs, about 20 human patients will receive the procedure in the trials. One caveat applies: patients must not be allergic to pork.

Hardly porcine averse, MU broke ground last year on a one-of-a-kind Swine Resource Center, the world’s only clearinghouse for genetic material and swine for researchers studying a variety of health issues. The National Institutes of Health awarded MU nearly $10 million in research and construction grants for the project, which should be complete this July.