Gluck Equine Research Center is the only scientific institute in the United States with nearly all faculty conducting full-time research in equine health and diseases. Construction began on the 81,000 square foot facility in 1986 and was completed in 1987. Gluck, owner of Elmendorf Farm in Lexington. Maxwell Gluck and his wife, Muriel, generously donated $3 million to the University of Kentucky in
1983 for construction of the research facility on the condition the gift be matched by $3 million from the state and $3 million from members of the horse industry. Research
The mission of the Gluck Center is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses. Today, the Gluck Center faculty conduct equine research in six targeted areas: genetics and genomics, infectious diseases and immunology, musculoskeletal science, parasitology, pharmacology/toxicology and reproductive health. Major research accomplishments of researchers at the Gluck Center has had an international impact on equine research. Some of the major research accomplishments include:
• World Organisation for Animal Health (O.I.E.)-designated world reference laboratory for equine rhinopneumonitis, equine influenza and equine viral arteritis
• Developed six major vaccines to protect against strangles, equine influenza, equine rhinopneumonitis, equine viral arteritis, the shaker foal syndrome (toxoinfectious botulism) and validated field safety and efficacy of equine rotavirus vaccine
• Developed diagnostic serological tests for contagious equine metritis (CEM), Tyzzer's disease, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, strangles and equine viral arteritis
• Developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for drug detection
• Demonstrated the usefulness of artificial lights and progesterone/estradiol treatments for hastening the onset of the breeding season
• Determined the genetic basis for and developed tests for inheritance of certain color coat traits
• Provided leadership in the sequencing of the complete genome of the horse and structural characterization of horse genes
• Performed the definitive experiments that identified the cause of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
Equine Research Hall of Fame
The Equine Research Hall of Fame, established by the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation (now the UK Gluck Equine Research Foundation), honors those distinguished researchers who have dedicated their careers to equine science. The Hall of Fame is at the Gluck Center. On Dec. 1, 1990, 12 scientists became the first inductees into this prestigious hall. Inductees are selected for the honor by an international scientific committee that evaluates the achievements and contributions of eminent researchers who were nominated by their peers and colleagues. The inductees, active, retired or deceased, are individuals from throughout the world who have expanded the body of knowledge of equine science through their contributions to basic or applied research. The Equine Research Hall of Fame provides a lasting tribute to the most renowned equine researchers in a variety of disciplines and serves as an international forum for honoring outstanding achievements in equine research. Gluck Equine Research Foundation
The Gluck Equine Research Foundation was formed as a non-profit organization to provide the exchange of information between the Gluck Center and the horse industry and to secure research funds. Since the Foundation's inception, it has been highly supportive in raising funds for equine research, endowed faculty positions, and facilities. Funding for graduate student support has allowed Gluck Center faculty to educate the next generation of scientists. Industry Outreach
Providing research information to the equine community is an important facet of the Gluck Center. Information is shared through the Gluck Center's website, www.ca.uky.edu/gluck, and three newsletters:
• Bluegrass Equine Digest (monthly)
• Lloyd's Equine Disease Quarterly
• Research & Service Report (biennially)
Department of Veterinary Science
The Gluck Center is part of the Department of Veterinary Science along with the Animal Genetics Testing and Research Laboratory and the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC). The mission of the Department of Veterinary Science is to assure the health and viability of animal agriculture through teaching, discovery, research and service. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is a full service animal health diagnostic facility. The mission of the VDL is to diagnose animal and zoonotic diseases (those that can infect humans) through comprehensive pathology, microbiology, toxicology, serology, clinical pathology and parasitology laboratory procedures and laboratory testing in most species. This protects Kentucky’s animal agriculture, facilitates the movement of animals in the United States and overseas markets, protects the public health and aids in preserving the human-animal bond. Finally, the laboratory also serves as an early warning system for impending epidemics. The Animal Genetic Testing and Research Laboratory provides genotyping services to the equine industry for the purposes of identification, parentage verification and genetic trait testing in horses. Certified by the International Society for Animal Genetics, results generated by the lab meet international standards allowing the exchange of genetic information between laboratories worldwide. Services are provided to breed registries, veterinary clinics and individual owners and breeders. These services include DNA testing for animal identification and testing for genetic traits such as color and heritable disease. The lab is the only facility in North America that still offers full blood typing for parentage verification and neonatal isoerythrolysis testing. Research activities are an integral part of the lab’s mission, including working with breed registries to investigate specific genetic problems, developing new tests for heritable traits, and collaborating with other researchers in the Department of Veterinary Science in need of genetic testing for their projects. Faculty in the Department of Veterinary Science frequently collaborate on research projects with faculty in UK's College of Agriculture and College of Medicine, with veterinarians in central Kentucky and scientists at other institutions. The Gluck Center is also part of the UK Equine Initiative, an overarching concept for all equine activities in the College of Agriculture. Created in 2005 as a front door to equine programs at UK, the Equine Initiative's mission is to discover, share and apply new knowledge that will enhance the health, performance and management of horses commensurate with the signature status of Kentucky's equine industy.
