The Role of Basic Veterinary Sciences in Public Health and Its Connection with Industry

Zahra Fayzii from the Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk of the University of Tehran:

Dr. Hassan Morovvati, a faculty member at the Veterinary Faculty and top researcher at the University of Tehran's 1404 Research Festival, challenged the notion that basic sciences lack relevance to industry and society. He argued that research demonstrates every field, including the basic sciences, can directly address and solve practical, real-world problems.

He explained that, like medical sciences, veterinary medicine is divided into several main groups.

These include basic sciences, pathobiology, and clinical sciences. Basic sciences study fundamental concepts, pathobiology examines diseases, and clinical sciences focus on treatment methods.

Dr. Morovvati, referring to his own area of expertise, said, "My specialty is in the basic sciences, particularly in the field of anatomy, embryology, and histology. Currently, my research efforts are mainly focused on histology."

In histology, very thin sections of tissues from various organs are prepared and stained using specific techniques. This allows scientists to study the cellular and tissue structure. These foundational studies provide the basis for essential fields such as physiology, pathology, and disease pathology. Simply put, without understanding the natural structure of a tissue, it would be impossible to diagnose changes caused by viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. Proper treatment would then not be possible.

The faculty member emphasized the need for university research to become more application-oriented. He added, "I have tried to steer my research and the work of my students toward projects that are directly related to public health and industry. For example, in one project, we studied the effects of honey bee venom on knee osteoarthritis. The results showed that this substance could help alleviate arthritis symptoms. However, it is not considered a definitive treatment."

In another study, the impact of air pollution and the heavy metal lead on tissues, as well as the role of antioxidants, was examined. The results showed that tissues exposed to lead and wheat germ extract sustained less damage, and even showed signs of tissue repair. These findings suggest that consuming antioxidants in polluted environments could reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals.

Dr. Morovvati also discussed the role of basic sciences in food safety. "In processed meat products such as sausages, salami, hamburgers, and nuggets, unauthorized substances may be used. The role of basic sciences is to use precise scientific methods to detect these products. Biochemical methods alone are not enough. More specialized studies, including histological and molecular analyses, are also critical in this field."

Research experience demonstrates that basic sciences are not only connected to society and industry but also play a vital role in advancing public health, food security, and addressing crucial national challenges. A significant example is developing an atlas to identify unauthorized meat, directly linking fundamental research to societal benefit.

He announced an important scientific initiative at the University of Tehran. "We are currently working on an atlas for identifying tissue patterns of unauthorized meats. Once completed, this will be made available to laboratories across the country. This atlas will help veterinarians and experts properly identify tissues that have lost their natural form due to intense processing and heat. This is especially important in remote areas where access to advanced specialists is more limited."

Finally, Dr. Morovvati emphasized the importance of professional ethics:

"Honesty in education, scientific judgment, and community relations are fundamental principles of our work. If we don't know something, we should honestly admit it. Trust from industry and society is built when scientific integrity is not traded for financial gain."

PARS MEDEQ company and the Mossalanejad Cultural Foundation are the sponsors of Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk

Watch the interview clip with English subtitles below