Faculty

 

 

Beth Davis, PhD
Associate Professor


DVM, University of Florida
Diplomate, ACVIM
PhD, Kansas State University


Phone: 785-532-5700
Email: edavis@vet.ksu.edu

 

 

Research Interests:

My research focus involves the area of equine innate immune function. Within this area I have investigated some of the mechanisms of immune function in young foals as well as adult horses. Characterization of antimicrobial peptide gene expression in horses has been a major focus of my doctoral investigations. Additionally, immune characterization has involved using techniques such as phenotypic analysis, lymphokine activated killing, and proliferative leukocyte assays. Gene expression has involved RNA analysis including northern blot and RT-PCR assays such as traditional and real time RT-PCR. High speed cell sorting has been utilized to characterize leukocyte populations for specific gene expression. Immune modulation is a particular area of interest with a current emphasis involving antimicrobial peptide gene expression, in addition to host-response to bacterial DNA sequences, specifically CpG motifs. Therapeutic implications associated with effective immunomodulation involve enhanced host immunity toward pathogen challenge.

Selected Publications:

Davis EG, Rush BR, Blecha F: Immunomodulation with Propionibacterium acnes increases cytokine and antimicrobial expression in horses. Vet. Therapeutics 4(1):5-11; 2003

Davis EG, Rush BR, Wilkerson MJ, Clark-Price S, Bain F: Neonatal neutropenia in an Arabian foal. Equine Veterinary Journal. 35(5):517-20; 2003.

Davis EG, Miles RD, Butcher GD, Comer CW: Effects of dietary vanadium on performance and immune responses of commercial egg-type laying hens. Journal of Applied Animal Research. 22:113-124; 2002.

Ramanathan B, Davis EG, Ross CR, Blecha F: Cathelicidins: microbicidal activity, mechanisms of action, and roles in innate immunity. Microbes and Infection. 4:361-372; 2002. 1 These authors have contributed equally in preparation of this review.

Davis EG, Rush BR, Wilkerson MJ: Flow Cytometry: clinical applications in equine medicine. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 16:404-411; 2002.

Flaminio MJBF, Rush BR, Davis EG, Hennessy K, Shuman W, Wilkerson M: Simultaneous flow cytometric determination of phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of blood leukocytes in horses. Veterinary Research Communications. 26:85-92; 2002.