Goal:
To increase the efficiency of lean meat production in domestic animals through the use of a basic research approach to understanding the cellular mechanisms regulating growth and protein accretion in skeletal muscle.

Objectives:
1.  Characterize the signal transduction pathways that regulate skeletal muscle growth and differentiation.
2.  Determine molecular mechanisms that control gene expression in skeletal muscle.
3.  Characterize mechanisms of cytoskeletal protein assembly and degradation in skeletal muscle.

History

Participants:

Investigators from 16 state and federal laboratories are participating in the USDA/ARS sponsored project.  The current project extends until September 30, 2010.

.

Progress Reports and Principal Accomplishments

1995 Annual Report

1996 Annual Report

1997 Annual Report

1998 Annual Report

1999 Annual Report

2000 Annual Report

2001 Annual Report

2002 Annual Report

2003 Annual Report

2004 Annual Report

2005 Annual Report

2006 Annual Report

2007 Annual Report

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2000

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2001

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2002

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2003

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2004

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2005

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2006

Minutes of NC-131, Oct. 2007
 

  For further information, contact Douglas.McFarland@sdstate.edu.

Arizona

Ronald E. Allen, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Group
623 Shantz
University of Arizona 85721

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 520-621-7626
Fax: 520-621-1396
e-mail: rallen@ag.arizona.edu
Web Page: http://ag.arizona.edu/nsc/faculty/cvallen.htm

Darrel E. Goll, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Group
University of Arizona
624 Shantz; PO Box 210038
Tucson, AZ 85721

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 602-621-7236
Fax: 602-621-1396
e-mail: darrel.goll@arizona.edu
Web Page: http://ag.arizona.edu/nsc/faculty/cvgoll.htm

California

Everett Bandman, Ph.D.
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of California
233 Cruess Hall 
Davis, California 95616

Research in the Bandman Laboratory focuses on the structure, function, and differential expression of the chicken myosin heavy chain multigene family. Current specific aims include: (1) elucidating the physical map and the molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression of the chicken fast myosin heavy chain locus; (2) characterization of the neural regulation of a chicken myosin heavy chain gene promoter; (3) analysis of myosin filament assembly; and (4) using site-directed mutagenesis to map myosin rod domains that are involved in myofibrillar protein aggregation and solubility during meat processing.

Phone: 916-752-2490
Fax: 916-752-4759
e-mail: edbandman@ucdavis.edu
Web Page: http://www-foodsci.ucdavis.edu/  

Hawaii

Yong Soo Kim, Ph.D.
Animal Sciences
1800 East-West Road
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii  96822

Dr. Kim is an associate animal scientist with major interests in muscle biology and meat science.  Dr. Kim's research interest ranges from manipulation of animal growth and carcass composition to carcass and meat quality evaluation.  Current research projects include investigation of factors regulating protein synthesis, degradation, and growth in skeletal muscle and immunological approaches to improve animal production.  He has been using techniques such as flooding dose of radioisotope to measure the fractional rate of protein synthesis, and radioligand binding assay and autoradiography to measure the density of ß-adrenoceptors and to localize ß-adrenoceptors.  Currently, his research emphasis is on the use of immunological techniques in animal growth and milk production studies.

Phone:  808-956-8335
Fax:  808-956-4883
E-mail:  ykim@hawaii.edu
Web page:  www.hawaii.edu/ansc.Faculty/ysk.htm

Idaho

Rod Hill, Ph.D.
Department of Animal and Veterinary Science
Biotech 311
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID  83844-2330

To identify and understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying muscle and adipose tissue growth and differentiation, and their manipulation to improve production efficiency.

Phone:  208-885-2088
e-mail:  rodhill@uidaho.edu
WEB page:  www.avs.uidaho.edu/faculty.hill.htm

Illinois
 

John Killefer, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Sciences
205 Meat Science Laboratory
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL  61801-4737

*No research paragraph submitted*

Phone:  217-333-8482
e-mail:  jkillef@uiuc.edu
 

Indiana

David Gerrard, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Purdue University
1151; Smth 202A
Smith Hall
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1151

*No research paragraph submitted*

Phone: 765-494-8280
e-mail: dgerrard@purdue.edu
Web Page: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/faculty/gerra.htm

Iowa

Ted W. Huiatt, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Group
3112 Molecular Biology Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 515-294-8289
Fax: 515-294-0453
e-mail: twhuiatt@iastate.edu
Web Page: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~ans/faculty/huiatt.html

James Reecy, Ph.D.
Iowa State University
2255 Kildee Hall
Department of Animal Science
Ames, IA  50011

Phone:  515-294-9269
Fax:  515-294-2401
e-mail:  jreecy@iastate.edu
Web Page:  http://www.ans.iastate.edu/faculty/reecy.html

Richard M. Robson, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Group
3110 Molecular Biology Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 515-294-5036
Fax: 515-294-0453
e-mail: rmrobson@iastate.edu
Web Page: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~ans/faculty/robson.html

Kansas

Brad Johnson, Ph.D.
Kansas State University
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry
126 Call Hall - KSU
Manhattan, KS  66506

Phone:  785-532-3476
Fax:  785-532-5681
e-mail:  bjohnson@ksu.edu
Web page:  http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_ansi/faculty/bjjohnso.htm

Michigan

Matthew E. Doumit, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Michigan State University
Food Science & Human Nutrition
3385B Anthony Hall
E. Lansing, MI 48824-0224

Research efforts focus on identifying the effects of androgenic steroids, growth factors and b-adrenergic agonists on 1) satellite cell proliferation, differentiation, and fusion, and 2) expression of myofibrillar proteins.  We are also involved in identifying biochemical markers associated with superior and inferior muscle growth and meat quality traits such as tenderness, color, and water-holding capacity.

Phone: 517-355-8452 ext. 203
Fax:  517-432-0753
e-mail: Doumitm@msu.edu
Web Page: http://www.canr.msu.edu/dept/ans/ans/people/doumit_matt.html

Catherine W. Ernst Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Michigan State University
1205 Anthony Hall
E. Lansing, MI 48824

*No research paragraph submitted*

Phone:  517-432-1941
Fax:  517-353-1699
e-mail:  ernstc@msu.edu
Web Page: http://www.msu.edu/~ernstc

Minnesota

William R. Dayton, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
University of Minnesota
348 Andrew Boss Laboratory; 1354 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 612-624-2234
Fax: 612-625-8171
e-mail: wdayton@umn.edu
Web Page: http://dayton.fsci.umn.edu/~bill/index.htm

Marcia R. Hathaway, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
University of Minnesota
350 Andrew Boss Lab; 1354 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 612-624-1771
Fax: 612-625-5272
e-mail: hathaway@umn.edu
Web Page: http://rhet.agri.umn.edu/~animal/faculty/hathaway.htm

Michael E. White, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
University of Minnesota
350 ABLMS; 1354 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108

Dr. White's primary research interest is the investigation of the cellular and molecular regulation of muscle growth and development in meat-producing animals, with a specific focus on the role of the Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) and their Binding Protein (IGFBPs) in the regulation of muscle growth. Molecular biology methods in combination with cell culture and biochemical methods are used to investigate the regulation of muscle growth in swine and other meat animals.

Phone: 612-624-5370
Fax: 612-625-5272
e-mail: mwhite@umn.edu
Web Page: http://white.fsci.umn.edu/~mike/index.htm  

Nebraska

Steven Jones, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Animal Sciences Complex
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE  68583-0908

e-mail:  sjones@unl.edu

Mike Zeece, Ph.E.
Department of Food Science and Technology
354 Food Industry Complex
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE  68583-0919

e-mail:  mzeece@unl.edu

North Carolina
 

Paul E. Mozdziak, Ph.D.
Department of Poultry Science
Campus Box 7608/Scott Hall
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC  27695

Phone:  919-515-5544
e-mail:  pemozdzi@unity.ncsu.edu
 

Ohio

Sandra G. Velleman, Ph.D.
Ohio State University
OARDC
Room 213 Gerlaugh Hall
1680 Madison Ave.
Wooster, OH 44691

Dr. Velleman's research is focused on the skeletal and cardiac extracellular matrix. In particular, we emphasize the proteoglycan component and how it influences tissue structure and function. Proteoglycans were long thought to be a mere structural scaffold or ground substance in which the cell were imbedded. It is now known that proteoglycans play an active role in cell behavior including proliferation, differentiation, and cell migration. Interestingly as an animal ages, the types of proteoglycans expressed by a tissue changes but how these developmentally regulated shifts in proteoglycan expression are regulated is still an enigma.

Phone: 216-263-3905
Fax: 216-263-3949
e-mail: velleman.1@osu.edu
Web Page: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/vellema

Oregon

Neil E. Forsberg, Ph.D.
Animal Sciences Department
322 Withycombe Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR  97331

Endocrinology and molecular biology of muscle growth in domestic animals.  International Agriculture and Development.

Phone:  541-737-1918
Fax:  541-737-4174
E-mail:  neil.forsberg@orst.edu
Web page:  www.orst.edu/dept/animal-sciences/faculty/forsberg.htm

South Dakota

Douglas C. McFarland, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Laboratories
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
Box 2170
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007-0392

Work in Dr. McFarland's laboratory is focused on developing a better understanding of the role of satellite cells in skeletal muscle development. One of the projects involves characterization of satellite cell populations which differ in their responses to growth factors. It is hypothesized that these cells may have different functions in skeletal muscles. For instance, some may be involved in growth of muscles, others in repair of muscle damage and still others may be involved in maintenance of muscles in older animals or humans. Current work is focused on identifying differences in the internal cellular events which occur following growth factor binding. Another project has focused on identifying the cellular basis of an inherited muscular weakness. Among the characteristics of this condition are differences in the responses of satellite cells from these individuals to growth factors. Satellite cells were recently isolated and cultured from an animal model of muscular dystrophy to identify the mechanism whereby thyroid hormone alleviates symptoms of the disorder.

Phone: 605-688-5431
Fax: 605-688-6170
e-mail: Douglas.McFarland@sdstate.edu
Web Page: http://ars.sdstate.edu/faculty/mcfarland.htm

Utah

Charles E. Carpenter
Nutrition and Food Science
8700 Old Main Hill
Utah State University
Logan, UT  84322-8700

*No research paragraph submitted*  

Phone: 435-797-3665
Fax:  435-797-2379
E-mail:  chuckc@cc.usu.edu
Web page:  http://www.usu.edu/nfs/gee%20whiz/chuck.pdf

Washington

Michael V. Dodson, Ph.D.
Muscle Biology Laboratory
139 Clark Hall
Department of Animal Sciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6351

The overall focus of Dr. Dodson's research program is to increase the efficiency of lean meat production in domestic animals. This research program is designed to address three main problems. This includes: 1) elucidating mechanisms by which primary, clonal and strain cultures of postnatal myogenic satellite cells are intrinsically programmed, or extrinsically regulated by metabolites and growth factors; 2) attempting to define the mechanisms by which satellite cell subpopulations regulate variables of postnatal skeletal muscle growth in domestic animals; 3) establishing a defined in vitro system for the definition of the intercellular communication (regulation) between muscle and fat-type cells. For these research problems, whole-animal, cell culture, biochemical and molecular biological techniques are employed.

Phone: 509-335-9644
Fax: 509-335-1082 or 509-335-4246
e-mail: dodson@wsu.edu
Web Page: http://www.ansci.wsu.edu/personal/homepage/dodson/home.htm
 

Wisconsin

Marion Greaser, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1805 Linden Drive West
Madison, WI 53706

Research in the Greaser laboratory is directed in two major areas. First, we have maintained a long term interest in understanding the structure and function of various muscle proteins. Major current emphasis is directed toward determining the functions of a giant sized protein called titin. Work is also being conducted on the assembly of titin and the other major muscle contractile proteins into myofibrils, the main organelles in the muscle cell. Second, research is being conducted on factors that affect meat quality. These studies include the relation of titin breakdown postmortem to changes in meat tenderness, the characterization of a rapid postmortem glycolysis condition in turkeys, and the possible role of early postmortem injection of sodium bicarbonate in pig and beef muscle to improve meat color and tenderness respectively.

Phone: 608-262-1456
Fax: 608-265-3110
e-mail: mgreaser@facstaff.wisc.edu
Web Page: http://www.wisc.edu/animalsci/facstaff/Faculty/pages/greaser/index.html  

Administrative Advisor

Elton Aberle, Dean
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
140 Agriculture Hall
Madison, WI  53706

Phone: 608-262-4930
Fax: 608-262-4556
e-mail: eaberle@cals.wisc.edu

CSREES -USDA Advisor

Debra Hamernik, Ph.D.
USDA-CREES
1400 Independence Ave. SW; Stop 2220
Washington, DC 20250-2220

Phone: 202-401-4202
Fax: 202-401-1602
e-mail: dmanernik@csrees.usda.gov

Overnight mail:
Room 3460 Waterfront Centre
800 9th St., SW
Washington, DC  20024

NCAC6 Liaison

Alan L. Grant, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
Purdue University
Smith Hall
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1151

Objectives of the research program include characterization of the function and expression of growth factors involved in signaling pathways that influence skeletal muscle development. Much of our effort has been directed towards developing in vivo models to study these pathways. Direct plasmid DNA injection into skeletal muscle of pigs is being investigated as a way of producing recombinant growth factor at specific sites so that the paracrine/autocrine effects on muscle development can be studied. Cell-mediated gene transfer is also being developed in pigs for use as a model for various studies. This model will allow us to study roles of different sub-populations of satellite cells in postnatal growth, roles of fibroblasts in muscle development, interaction of fibroblasts with myoblasts, and conversion of fibroblasts to myogenic cells in vivo. Much of the research is being designed to determine how muscle development is related to meat quality.

Phone: 765-494-8282
e-mail: agrant@purdue.edu
Web Page: http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/faculty/grant.htm