(May 12, 2009 Stillwater, OK) – The Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently held its Annual Awards Banquet. Among those recognized for their work was Dr. Lin Liu, Lundberg-Kienlen Professor of Biomedical Research.

Liu received the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence for the second time in his OSU career. Established in 1985, the Pfizer Award is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. The purpose of this award is to foster innovative research by recognizing outstanding research effort and productivity.



Liu directs the Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory where graduate students and postdoctoral fellows train to become lung biologists. The lab has transitioned from a technology-driven laboratory to a disease-oriented lab. Goals for their biomedical research are to improve human and animal health. Early diagnosis and development of therapeutics of diseases are priorities. Current focus is on three of the pulmonary diseases—Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Supported by National Institutes of Health funding, Liu’s research team has been studying molecular mechanisms of lung surfactant release from lung cells for the past 15 years. Recently, they have discovered one compound that stimulates surfactant release and preliminary trials in an animal model using this compound show promise. In addition, many laboratory projects focus on microRNA, small RNAs that regulate gene expression. Soon Liu’s team will work on a research project to identify microRNA biomarkers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis patients.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center’s Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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