The mechanisms that make it possible for communicable diseases to spread and flourish in horses, humans and other animals will be scrutinized by a team of scientists at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine thanks to a new $1.2 million grant from a charitable foundation. The veterinary school recently received the four-year grant from The Bernice Barbour Foundation Inc. to create a communicable disease laboratory directed by the school's Center for Equine Health. Research will focus on the mechanisms by which disease-causing microbes survive, move through the environment and invade mammals. The researchers also will study how the human and animal body defends against these microbial assaults. "While our initial investigations will involve pathogens primarily related to the equine species," says Gregory Ferraro, director of the Center for Equine Health, "we anticipate that the knowledge gained from these studies will contribute to the control of disease in all species." The research will be carried out by the newly established Bernice Barbour Communicable Disease Laboratory, an umbrella organization for veterinary researchers from a variety of disciplines including pathology, virology, toxicology, epidemiology, genetics and biomedical engineering. The Bernice Barbour Foundation Inc. is an independent charitable foundation focused primarily on preservation and care of domestic and companion animals and the prevention of cruelty to animals.