Research in growth biology involves study of cellular and molecular regulation, growth mechanisms of muscle and other tissues, the action and function of cells, and metabolic processes. Research on the development and growth mechanisms of muscle and other tissue helps us gain knowledge for efficient and sustainable production of meat. Animal Science researchers with expertise in the area of growth biology conduct studies on:
Muscle Growth Biology
- Utilizing molecular biology and muscle cell culture methodologies to study the regulation of muscle growth during embryonic and postnatal growth of economically-important animals.
- Effect of feed additives and beta adrenergic agonists on skeletal muscle growth.
- Role of satellite cells in muscle growth.
- Muscle tissue culture systems.
- Cellular and molecular regulation of muscle growth and development in meat-producing animals, with a specific focus on the role and mechanism of action of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), their binding proteins (IGFBPs) and anabolic steroids in the regulation of muscle growth.
Avian Growth Biology
- Immortalization of avian cells for vaccine substrates, molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence and immortalization, regulation of cell cycle events, cloning of growth specific sequences, avian endocrinology, recombinant protein production.