Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition), Washington State University: 1984
Master of Science (Chemistry), Washington State University: 1975
Bachelor of Arts (Biology), Southern Connecticut State University: 1971

Research
Our research is focused on determining mechanisms involved in avian skeletal muscle development. This research utilizes a number of cell culture and biochemical techniques. We are examining the effects of growth factors on avian skeletal muscle development using myogenic satellite cells in culture.  More specifically, ongoing projects include examination of heterogeneity in the population of satellite cells with respect to growth factor response. Another project is focused on characterization of satellite cells from a genetic line with muscular weakness and abnormal extracellular matrix chemistry.   Studies are also underway to examine satellite cells from an animal model of muscular dystrophy.

Teaching
Animal Growth and Development, AS 750
Metabolism, AS 640

Selected Organizations/Appointments
American Society of Animal Science
Muscle Research Committee (NC-1131)
American Society for Nutritional Sciences
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Gamma Sigma Delta
Sigma Xi

Recent Publications

Liu, Xiaosong, Douglas C. McFarland, Karl E. Nestor, and Sandra G. Velleman. 2004. Developmental regulated expression of syndecan-1 and glypican in pectoralis major muscle with different growth rates. Dev. Growth Differ.  46:37-51. 

Velleman, Sandra G. and Douglas C. McFarland. 2004. Beta1 Integrin Mediation of Myogenic Differentiation: Implications for Satellite Cell Differentiation. Poultry Science 83:245-252. 

Velleman, Sandra G., Xiaosong Liu, Cynthia S. Coy, and Douglas C. McFarland. 2004. Effects of Syndecan-1 and Glypican on Muscle Cell Proliferation and Differentiation: Implications for Possible Functions During Myogenesis.  Poultry Science 83:1020-1027. 

Edelman, P. D., D. C. McFarland, V. A. Mironov, and J. G. Matheny. 2005. In vitro Cultured Meat Production: Commentary. Tissue Engineering 11(5/6): 659-662. 

Liu, C., D. C. McFarland, S. G. Velleman. 2005. Effect of Selection on MyoD and Myogenin Expression in Turkeys with Different Growth Rates. Poultry Science 84:376-384. 

Velleman, S. G., C. Liu, C. S. Coy, and D. C. McFarland. 2006. Effects of Glypican-1 on Turkey Skeletal Muscle Cell Proliferation, Differentiation, and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Responsiveness. Development, Growth and Differentiation. Development Growth & Differentiation 48:271-276. 

Liu, Caini, Douglas C. McFarland, Karl E. Nestor, and Sandra G. Velleman. 2006. Differential Expression of Membrane-associated Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in the skeletal muscle of turkeys with different growth rates. Poultry Science 85:422-428. 

Li, X., D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman. 2006. Effect of Transforming Growth Factor Beta on Decorin and Beta 1 Integrin Expression during Muscle Development in Chickens. Poultry Science 85:326-332.  

McFarland, Douglas C., Sandra G. Velleman, Jane E. Pesall, and Caini Liu. 2006. Effect of Myostatin on Turkey Myogenic Satellite Cells and Embryonic Myoblasts. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 144(4): 501-508. 

McFarland, Douglas C., Sandra G. Velleman, Jane E. Pesall, and Caini Liu. 2007. The role of myostatin in chicken (Gallus domesticus) myogenic satellite cell proliferation and differentiation.  General and Comparative Endocrinology 151:351-357. 

Velleman, S. G., C. S. Coy, and D. C. McFarland. 2007. Effect of Syndecan-1, Syndecan-4, and Glypican-1 on Turkey Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation, Differentiation, and Responsiveness to Fibroblast Growth Factor 2. Poultry Science 86:1406-1413. 

Zhang, X., C. Liu, K. E. Nestor, D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman.  2007.  The Effect of Glypican-1 Glycosaminoglycan Chains on Turkey Myogenic Satellite Cell Proliferation, Differentiation, and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Responsiveness. Poultry Science 86:2020-2028. 

McFarland, Douglas C. and J. E. Pesall. 2008. Phospho-MAPK as a marker of myogenic satellite cell responsiveness to growth factors. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 149B: 463-467. 

Li, X., D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman. 2008. Extracellular Matrix Proteoglycan Decorin-Mediated Myogenic Satellite Cell Responsiveness to Transforming Growth Factor-β during Satellite Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 35:263-273. 

Zhang, X., K. E. Nestor, D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman. 2008. The role of syndecan-4 and attached glycosaminoglycan chains on myogenic satellite cell growth. Matrix Biology 27:619-630. 

 Velleman, S. G., X. Li, C. S. Coy, and D. C. McFarland. 2008. The Effect of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 on the in vitro expression of Syndecan-4 and Li, X., D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman. 2008. Effect of Smad3-Mediated Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Signaling on Satellite Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in chickens. Poultry Science 87:1823-1833. 

Li, X., D. C. McFarland, and S. G. Velleman. Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Induced Satellite Cell Apoptosis in Chickens is Associated with β1 Integin-Mediated Focal Adhesion Kinase Activation. (submitted) 

Rhoads, R. P., M. E. Fernyhough, X. Liu, D. C. McFarland, S. G. Velleman, G. J. Hausman, and M. V. Dodson. Invited Review: Extrinsic Regulation of Domestic Animal-derived Myogenic Satellite Cells II. Domestic Animal Endocrinology (in press)  

Book Chapter

McFarland, Douglas C. 2003. Nutrition and Growth, In: Biology of Growth of Domestic Animals, Iowa State University Press, pp. 249-262.

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