Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are joining forces to research human and animal health.

Faculty from the U of I College of Medicine and the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will collaborate to investigate the causes of diseases and health problems in humans and animals.

The project was orchestrated by Prem Paul, associate dean for research at ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and Allyn Mark, his U of I counterpart.

Paul said he got the idea because of the similarities between animal and human physiology.

“Similar research projects in the basic sciences are going on at both colleges,” Paul said. “The discoveries made will be beneficial to both humans and animals.”

Some examples of animal and human research Paul gave included using animal organs for transplants, food safety and public health.

Paul said there are several benefits of both colleges working together.

“No. 1, two heads are better than one,” Paul said. “No. 2, it helps foster more competition, and no. 3, it helps us develop better diagnostic approaches and vaccines.”

Paul said faculty members will work and communicate together “to collaborate research and write proposals to the National Institute of Health.”

Paul said over the last three years, faculty members from both colleges have interacted, trying to find common interests.

He said the biggest deterrent to joining the program for faculty was not having enough time.

Paul and Mark encouraged participation in the program by developing grants. Seed grants of $122,000 have been allocated by the two colleges to begin five research projects and one symposium.

“The administrations of both colleges have been excited and supportive,” Paul said. “My dream is to see [the grant money] leveraged many, many, many folds.”