K-State released the following press release on Thursday morning:
MANHATTAN — A $250,000 gift from Abaxis to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University helps establish the new Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases. The center is an interdisciplinary research center with a mission to combat vector-borne diseases with a focus on pathogenesis, surveillance and disease prevention.
“We are deeply appreciative of Abaxis for helping support the center,” said Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology and director of the center. “This gift will in part allow us to promote the advancement of knowledge on vector-borne diseases of importance to companion and agricultural animals and humans, including the diseases caused by Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Borrelia species.”
One of the center’s goals is to develop programs to prepare future generations of scientists with expertise on vector-borne diseases, offering continuing education workshops, and in developing resources, such as a repository to maintain culture stocks of vector-borne pathogens. The center’s goals also include the establishment of a tick-rearing facility.
“We at Abaxis are honored to be able to provide support for the new Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases,” said Dr. Dennis Bleile, senior director, research and development, at Abaxis. “We have followed the excellent work of Dr. Ganta and his group in their pursuit of understanding vector-borne diseases — including the pathogens’ evasion mechanisms and hosts’ response to these infections. His group brings together molecular biology, immunology, animal models and cell culture systems to pursue its goals.”
“Abaxis has been a wonderful supporter of our college and programs,” said Ralph C. Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Through this gift in support of our college’s newest center of excellence, Abaxis has demonstrated a true commitment to veterinary medicine and the greater human and animal health professions.”
The center will develop a network to build research programs to promote strong collaborations among Kansas State University faculty who have shared interests, as well as faculty and researchers at other academic institutions and industry in the U.S. and abroad.
Abaxis provides leading-edge technology, tools and services that support best medical practices, enabling physicians and veterinarians to respond to the health needs of their clients at the point of care. More information is available at http://www.abaxis.com/.
