Oregon State University – Cascades’ Science Pub series continues on Dec. 12 with a talk that explores research by a team of biologists at the Bend campus on whether bacteria from wolves can improve the health of dogs.
The team, led by molecular biologist Bruce Seal, also includes undergraduate students pursuing degrees in biology. Together they discovered that bacteria from a wild wolf can potentially help prevent canine inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic and untreatable illness that affects the quality of dogs’ lives and can be concerning for their owners.
The disease is a reflection of the modern dog diet, Seal said, which is high in carbohydrates and can have a negative impact on the microbial community of a dog’s gastrointestinal tract. The team believes their discovery may be an important step toward a dietary supplement or food additive capable of steering a dog’s gut microbe closer to that of its ancestor the wolf.
Seal will also discuss how the study points to the importance of protecting biodiversity. Plants and wildlife, including threatened species like wolves, likely harbor genetic information that could be used for practical applications to improve the health and production of domesticated species, from dogs to potatoes, according to Seal.
The Science Pub will take place from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the Charles McGrath Family Atrium in Edward J. Ray Hall at OSU-Cascades. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and dining with the presentation to follow at 6 p.m.
Registration is required and on-campus parking is free. The event is $22 per person, which includes a light, pub-style, pre-lecture dinner by OSU-Cascades’ Edge Catering. The no-host bar will offer beer, wine, cider and soft drinks.
To register, visit OSUcascades.edu/event-registration. Space is limited to 100 attendees.
For accommodations for disabilities contact 541-322-3100 or events@osucascades.edu
