Anything Pawsible

When it comes to the fight against the novel coronavirus, we need all hands on deck and it turns out there may be some toes on deck as well. An unlikely species is being investigated to see if it could be a vital ally with humans in the fight against COVD-19. Llamas, and other camelids, produce a specialized type of antibodies which are known as nanobodies. Scientists are investigating if those same nanobodies could help prevent the novel coronavirus from entering a host cell. Does this research have real teeth? Does it have potential to work?

Dr. Robert Callan - a professor at Colorado State University Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service - not only discusses whether this research has promise, but we also discuss the potential challenges the researchers may face, basics of camelid medicine, why llamas spit, and so many other fun facts about camelids. You're not going to want to miss this conversation. Although it may not usurp a dog's position as man's best friend. It may come pretty close. 

BIO:

Dr. Robert Callan is a professor at Colorado State University in the Department of Clinical Sciences, head of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service, and Chief of Staff for the Large Animal Hospital at the CSU James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He obtained his DVM degree at Oregon State University in 1986 and then obtained a MS in reproductive physiology at Utah State University in 1988. Dr. Callan completed a residency in large animal internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he also obtained a PhD in virology in 1996. He has been a faculty member at CSU since 1996 and provides clinical care for ruminant and camelid livestock at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dr. Callan is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Clinical interest - in livestock medicine and surgery with an emphasis on infectious diseases and immunology. Research interest - in livestock infectious diseases, and nutritional and metabolic disease.