The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn conducts diverse research activities in all areas of veterinary medicine and science. Research studies involve the latest research methods and techniques, and many projects are conducted in collaboration with the leading Polish and foreign research institutions.
The Department of Animal Anatomy and the Department of Clinical Physiology conduct research on the nervous system. These studies are undertaken to determine the neurochemical characteristics of the structures in the central and peripheral nervous systems under physiological conditions, as well as phenotypic variation in these structures under the influence of physiological stimuli (such as maturation and growth processes) and pathological factors (diseases, neuropathies, toxic substances).
The pineal gland of various mammalian and avian species as well as melatonin, the main hormone produced by the pineal gland, are important objects of basic research conducted at the Department of Histology and Embryology. These research studies are undertaken to explore the structure and embryonic development of the pineal gland, to determine its secretory activity and processes that regulate melatonin secretion under physiological conditions and in response to selected pathological factors.
The Department of Pathological Anatomy conducts multi-faceted research on pathological changes in selected internal organs during infectious and invasive diseases, as well as poisoning with organophosphate pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and other xenobiotics. Researchers also investigate the expression of selected genes in animal tumors and the etiopathogenesis of myopathy in domestic animals.
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology conducts innovative research in four main areas: 1) the influence of selected toxins and active ingredients on smooth muscle activity, 2) pharmacokinetics of selected drugs and their biotransformation in living organisms, 3) immunopharmacology and immunology, in particular the effects of selected drugs on the immune system, and 4) toxicology, in particular the effects of heavy metals and pesticides on living organisms.
Research investigating the impact of ecosystem pollution on living organisms is also conducted by the Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration. Most studies focus on the physiology and pathology of adaptive processes in the internal organs of animals resulting from exposure to xenobiotics, industrial livestock production and intensive farming. The conducted research also addresses animal welfare, legislation on veterinary medicine and animal health law in Poland and the European Union.
The main aim of research studies conducted by the Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology is to improve the methods for diagnosing viral and bacterial diseases in animals with the use of immunological and molecular biology techniques. Studies are also undertaken to develop immunomodulatory therapies in veterinary medicine, investigate the effect of xenobiotics on immunocompetent cells, and improve methods for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in fish, birds, and mammals.
The Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene analyzes the influence of nutrition and substances contained in feedstuffs on the health of domestic animals. The main aim of studies conducted at the Department is to investigate the impact of low and high doses of selected mycotoxins, including zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and deoxynivalenol, on the morphology and functions of internal systems and organs, and immune responses in various species of domestic animals. Another important research area is the potential use of edible insects as an alternative source of protein in livestock nutrition.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also conducts various types of clinical research studies. The Department of Internal Diseases with a Clinic analyzes the role of micronutrients (mostly selenium) in ruminant nutrition, the use of electromyography and electroneurography in diagnosing neuromuscular diseases in dogs, the etiopathogenesis of seizure disorders in dogs and cats, and somatosensory evoked potentials for monitoring spinal cord injury in dogs.
The Department of Clinical Diagnostics also carries out research on companion animals. Its research efforts focus on gastrointestinal disorders in dogs and cats, with special emphasis on neuroimmune and histochemical analyses in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the significance of diagnostic endoscopy in gastrointestinal, respiratory, and bladder diseases and disorders. The undertaken studies also examine the efficacy of probiotic preparations in the prevention and treatment of gastroenteritis in animals.
The Department of Surgery and Radiology with a Clinic pursues research on innovative surgical techniques in the treatment of cruciate ligament injuries which are the main cause of pelvic limb lameness in humans and animals. Another important research area is the applicability of low-field magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing and treating pathological changes in the central nervous system of dogs and cats.
The research activities undertaken by the Department of Animal Reproduction focus on subclinical endometritis in cows, hormonal interventions to induce estrus in cows, etiopathogenesis of retained placenta in mares, causes of infertility in dogs, and regulation of corpus luteum functions in female dogs.
The Department of Epizootiology conducts equally innovative research in the following key areas: 1) classical epizootic studies examining the risk of infectious diseases in livestock, companion animals, fur-bearing animals, free-living animals, and fish; 2) etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of zoonotic diseases; and 3) development and assessment of novel methods for the prevention and treatment of selected infectious diseases in animals.
The Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases conducts research studies aiming to diagnose and treat parasitic diseases of livestock and companion animals. Efforts are also being made to monitor and control Dermanyssus gallinae invasions, and to explore the pathogenesis and pathology of varroosis and nosemosis in honey bees.
The Department of Avian Diseases conducts highly interesting and innovative research into infectious and non-infectious diseases of poultry, in particular turkeys, broiler chickens, and pigeons. The undertaken studies focus mainly on the immune responses of turkeys to various antigens, the use of probiotics and feed additives as alternatives to antibiotic therapy in poultry, serological monitoring, and prevention of diseases that elicit specific and non-specific immune responses in birds.
Veterinary science also plays an important role in advancing the safety of animal-based foods and protecting public health. The Department of Veterinary Protection of Public Health conducts research to advance scientific knowledge in these areas. Studies are undertaken to investigate the influence of physical, chemical and biological factors used in food production on the life cycle of pathogens and bacteria that cause spoilage of animal-based foods, to develop effective methods for the microbiological analysis of food products, and to identify selected species of bacteria in meat and milk.
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