The section of Pathology comprises three different research topics:
-The profile of Stina Ekman’s research is within the field of connective tissue diseases, concentrating on joint problems; such as osteochondrosis and osteoarthritis in the equine, porcine and bovine and the equine tendinitis. The Ekman group study cartilage, tendon and bone macromolecules; inflammatory mediators and their relation to mechanical load and pathological processes, with the aim to find diagnostic and prognostic markers in serum and synovial fluid.
-Wilhelm Engstrom’s research has been concentrated on one of nature’s most ingenious systems - the spider – for the production of an elastic, tough and tensile polypeptide fibre hat can be used for production of implantable surgical devices. The coordination of an intereuropean research consortium – SPIDERMAN – has aimed at designing a system for the recombinant expression of spider silk fibres with optimal biomechanical properties.
-Ronny Lindberg’s research concentrates on inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with emphasis on host-parasite relationships and immunopathology in schistosomiasis of ruminants and pigs. Studies on swine dysentery and, recently, of porcine proliferative enteropathy, are included in cooperation with another SLU research group.