Why Animal Research Matters
Animal research is an indispensable tool for understanding complex living organisms, and many University of Wisconsin–Madison research programs study animals as models of human disease and to explore basic biological processes. The university’s commitment to responsible and ethical research conducted under the attention of skilled veterinarians continues a long history of improving human and animal health and well-being.
Cell transplant treats Parkinson’s in mice under control of designer drug
Su-Chun Zhang and co-first authors Yuejun Chen and Man Xiong grew the specialized nerve cells from human embryonic stem cells. Read more
News
July 10, 2017 Stem cell advance brings bioengineered arteries closer to reality
New techniques have produced, for the first time, functional arterial cells at both the quality and scale to be relevant for disease modeling and clinical application. Read moreJuly 10, 2017 Plants under attack can turn hungry caterpillars into cannibals
A researcher found a tomato plant can make itself taste so horrible that a caterpillar, which would typically munch on its leaves, might eat another caterpillar instead. Read moreJuly 5, 2017 UW–Madison’s ‘Taj Mahal’ of eyeballs
Read and listen to the story of NPR's visit to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin — maybe the world's largest library of eyeballs and eye parts, with more than 56,000 specimens from aardvark to zebra and back again. Read moreJuly 4, 2017 Old bones lead to new strategy for drug delivery
Taking a hint from archaeology, where centuries-old bones and teeth have been found to harbor intact biological proteins, a team of Wisconsin scientists has devised a way to deliver drugs and other therapeutic agents by coating medical devices with a nanostructured mineral sheath that mimics bone. “You can take bones or teeth that are centuries […] Read moreJune 27, 2017 Plant derivative could help patients reliant on tube feeding
Experiments suggest it could help people who must obtain "enteral nutrition" — often due to swallowing problems related to cancer, neurological disease, surgery or developmental delay. Read moreWisconsin Discoveries
For more than 100 years, scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have successfully used animal models to discover new knowledge to benefit people, animals and society.
Animal Care
The university accepts responsibility for the stewardship of all animals under its care, conducting the kind of careful, ethical studies that can improve human and animal health.
Campus Oversight
Scientists, veterinarians and members of the public work to ensure UW–Madison’s world-class research is conducted ethically, safely and in compliance with federal laws and regulations.
Press Resources
We welcome reporters to contact us and obtain an accurate picture of what happens on our campus. Find videos and photos related to UW research.