E-mail and search functions
Featured Links
Programs: Meat Science and Muscle Biology
Meat Science and Muscle Biology
The meat science and muscle biology program is organized within the Department of Animal Sciences and is housed in the Meat Science Laboratory. The research program is focused on enhancing the efficiency of meat and meat animal production. Research efforts are concentrated in (1) regulation of cellular growth and development; (2) optimization of lean tissue accretion in livestock; and (3) development of technology for efficient production and utilization of high quality animal products. In the area of regulation of cellular growth and development our goal is to define the role of nutrients and growth factors involved in regulation of myoblast proliferation, survival and differentiation. Efforts with live animals to optimize accretion of lean tissue with acceptable quality include: determining the practical application of growth promotants such as somatotropin and ß-adrenergic agonists to alter the composition of meat animals, and developing strategies to use components of the endocrine axis for genetic selection on the basis of potential for lean tissue accretion. In the technology development area researchers are working on: the use of enhancement technologies to improve meat quality; the effects of management, nutrition, genetics and postmortem handling on carcass and meat characteristics; and processing technologies to improve sensory attributes and safety of meat products. Current research programs include:
- Regulation of muscle hyperplasia and hypertrophy
- Prion disease mechanisms and transmission
- Regulation of muscle development
- Investigation of the physiological origins and biochemical basis for meat quality
- Development of novel technologies for meat products