Welcome to the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Electron Microscope Unit
The Anatomy Section
The Anatomy Section is responsible for teaching undergraduate- and postgraduate macroscopical and microscopical anatomy to veterinary science and nursing students. The undergraduate teaching programme includes the Electron Microscope Unit canine anatomy in the VAP 300 module presented to the BSc (VetBiol) III students and comparative anatomy of equine, ruminants, porcine, birds and fish in the VCA 400 module presented to the BVSc I students. MSc and PhD programmes in veterinary anatomy are presented in the department. Various postgraduate anatomy courses are also presented to students registered for the specialist MMedVet degree.
The main focus of research in the department is on the anatomy of wild animals and the reproductive biology of birds and mammals.
The Physiology Section
The Veterinary Physiology Section is responsible for teaching and research in basic and applied physiology and physiological chemistry. A complete course in fundamental animal physiology and physiological chemistry is taught in the VAP 300 module presented to the BSc (VetBiol) III students, followed by a course in Applied Physiology in the BVSc I year. It is problem-based and focuses the student on the holistic approach to treating the whole animal. The Section also teaches a fundamental course in Physiology and Physiological Chemistry to the first-year DipVet student nurses.
Research areas are focused upon metabolic adaptation of indigenous sheep and goats, water and electrolyte balance in sheep, and certain facets of nanotechnology.
The Endocrine Research Laboratory (ERL)
ERL addresses proximate and ultimate questions concerning regulative endocrine mechanisms which in combination with other factors, like disease or changes in the social or ecological set-up, influence and control animal behaviour.
Our main objectives are to develop and validate non-invasive techniques to monitor gonadal and adrenal endocrine function in various animal species, and by using these techniques, learn more about the basic principles of especially mammalian reproductive strategies and factors determining fertility and reproductive success. In this regard, we also aim to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors which potentially influence the social and reproductive behaviour of animals and determine their potential as physiological stressor.
By often linking our main research approach with other disciplines like behavioural biology, veterinary science, or wildlife ecology, the information gained is not only be of scientific interest, but can also help to develop more effective strategies for improving the management and welfare of animals in zoological institutions as well as in the wild.
Other laboratories include
Angiogenesis Laboratory (Lab 1-38 complex; Lab 2-34)The Angiogenesis Laboratory seeks to unravel the mechanisms underlying vessel development under Physiological and Pathophysiological conditions, in particular cancer, cardiovascular disease and wound healing.
We focus on the following:
(i) Endothelial cell biology
(ii) Cell surface receptors that regulate angiogenesis
(iii) Angiogenic cytokines and growth factors
The Electron Microscope Unit (EMU)
The ElectronMicroscope Unit provides a quality diagnostic service, research support and training in all aspects of electron microscopy to the veterinary community.
The EMU was established at the Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1976 and refurbished in 1991 with the installation of a Philips CM10 transmission electron microscope, a Philips XL20 scanning electron microscope and the revelant ancillary equipment.
News
New Chair in Department of Mining Engineering to help save lives - 18/06/2013
Research on a safer working environment in the hard-rock mining industry will henceforth be a very specific focus area at the University of Pretoria. This is the result of a donation of R4.7 million over 3 years by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) to UP in order to establish a Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling in the mining industry. The Harmony chair will be housed in the Department of Mining Engineering of the University’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.
[Read More]
TuksRugby reigns supreme in 2013 Carlton League - 16/06/2013
TuksRugby has proven its supremacy in Blue Bulls club rugby on Saturday, June 15 by claiming all five championship titles on offer in the 2013 Carlton League.
The top prize at stake was the coveted Carlton Cup, the piece of silverware that eluded UP-Tuks 1 last year when they went down 23-27 to Police in the final.
[Read More]
New Poultry Disease Management Agency (PDMA) and UP Research Poultry Chair launched in the Faculty of Veterinary Science - 13/06/2013
The new PDMA-UP Poultry Research Chair in the Faculty of Veterinary Science was recently launched by the Faculty and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA). This exciting collaborative partnership aims among other things, at conducting research on poultry diseases that have an impact on our economy.
The first incumbent of this Chair, Prof Celia Abolnik, who was recently appointed by the Production Animal Studies Department, will be conducting research projects in conjunction with the Poultry Disease Management Agency (PDMA), the government as well as other relevant stakeholders.
[Read More]
UP crosses borders with tourism - 13/06/2013
The Faculty of Humanities of the University of Pretoria was recently represented by two academic staff members at the Atlas Africa conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Mr Richard Wyllie (Department of Historical and Heritage Studies) and Professor Chris Boonzaaier (Department of Anthropology and Archaeology) both presented papers.
For the first time in its history, the eighth bi-annual event was hosted by the Rwanda Tourism University College (RTUC) from 3 to 5 June 2013.
[Read More]
Theatre highlights: Chasing and As Night Falls - 11/06/2013
There are performances of the shows Chasing (based on the life of Ingrid Jonker) and As Night Falls (based on the life of Helen Martins) at the Masker Theatre at the University of Pretoria.
These shows are collaborations between the Drama Department and Matchbox Theatre Collective and both shows are choreographed by Nicola Haskins. Make sure you don't miss these shows before they head to perform at Smithfield and at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. As Night falls won a Standard Bank Ovation Award in 2011.
[Read More]
Marketing honours students impress Newsclip - 10/06/2013
Part of the BComHons (Marketing Management) programme is to equip students with practical skills that they will need as young marketers in the industry. In order to meet this goal, the Department of Marketing Management partnered with Newsclip.
The partnership enabled students to conduct media monitoring in the print, broadcast, online and social media environments, by utilising the various Newsclip delivery and media platforms available.
[Read More]
Faculty of Veterinary Science: Research article about Dinosaurs published in the prestigious journal, Nature - 07/06/2013
The Department of Paraclinical Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Science is not only expanding its horizons, it is also digging deeper into the past. Dr Fritz Huchzermeyer, an extraordinary lecturer in the Department, was a co-author of an article that was recently published in the prestigious journal, Nature.
The work was done in collaboration with paleontologists in China. This publication reported the preservation of ovarian follicles in Mesozoic birds from China and the early evolution of avian reproductive behaviour. Crocodilians and birds are closely related to dinosaurs and are, therefore, ideal models to explain the reproductive behaviour of these extinct animals.
[Read More]
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Research on a safer working environment in the hard-rock mining industry will henceforth be a very specific focus area at the University of Pretoria. This is the result of a donation of R4.7 million over 3 years by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) to UP in order to establish a Chair in Rock Engineering and Numerical Modelling in the mining industry. The Harmony chair will be housed in the Department of Mining Engineering of the University’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology.
TuksRugby has proven its supremacy in Blue Bulls club rugby on Saturday, June 15 by claiming all five championship titles on offer in the 2013 Carlton League.
The top prize at stake was the coveted Carlton Cup, the piece of silverware that eluded UP-Tuks 1 last year when they went down 23-27 to Police in the final.
.jpg)
The new PDMA-UP Poultry Research Chair in the Faculty of Veterinary Science was recently launched by the Faculty and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA). This exciting collaborative partnership aims among other things, at conducting research on poultry diseases that have an impact on our economy.
The first incumbent of this Chair, Prof Celia Abolnik, who was recently appointed by the Production Animal Studies Department, will be conducting research projects in conjunction with the Poultry Disease Management Agency (PDMA), the government as well as other relevant stakeholders.
.jpg)
Part of the BComHons (Marketing Management) programme is to equip students with practical skills that they will need as young marketers in the industry. In order to meet this goal, the Department of Marketing Management partnered with Newsclip.
The partnership enabled students to conduct media monitoring in the print, broadcast, online and social media environments, by utilising the various Newsclip delivery and media platforms available.
.jpg)
The Department of Paraclinical Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Science is not only expanding its horizons, it is also digging deeper into the past. Dr Fritz Huchzermeyer, an extraordinary lecturer in the Department, was a co-author of an article that was recently published in the prestigious journal, Nature.
The work was done in collaboration with paleontologists in China. This publication reported the preservation of ovarian follicles in Mesozoic birds from China and the early evolution of avian reproductive behaviour. Crocodilians and birds are closely related to dinosaurs and are, therefore, ideal models to explain the reproductive behaviour of these extinct animals.
Last edited by: Hettie Rossouw