Expertise

Research: Regulation of lipid and protein metabolism in animals emphasizing nutrient-gene interactions and role of signal transduction mechanisms in lipid deposition and protein synthesis and turnover.

Research interests:

  • Genomic regulation of lipogenesis in porcine adipose tissue.
  • Regulation of lipid and protein metabolism in beef cattle and pigs.
  • Development of omic strategies to assess production efficiency of farm animals.
  • Comparative/ differential expression of lipogenic and oxidative genes in pigs and cattle of divergent genetic backgrounds.
  • Nutrient-gene interactions: Effects of specific nutrients on expression of target genes.

The primary focus of our laboratory is to explore the complexities of regulation of lipid and protein metabolism in agriculturally important animal species at the genomic and proteomic level.

We are also studying the relationship between expression of various gene families (lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, proteasomal system, uncoupling proteins and mitochondrial function) in muscle and adipose tissues of cattle with residual feed efficiency.

Affiliations

Professor, Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Biochemistry, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University
1995 - current

Past Affiliations

Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Auburn University
1999

Head, Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Auburn University
1995 - 1998

Professor, Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Auburn University
1995 - 1998

Professor, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University (past)
1967 - 1995

Professor Emeritus, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University (past)
1967 - 1995

Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University (past)
1967 - 1995

Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Michigan State University (past)
1967 - 1995

Communities
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Animal Science, Cellular Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology
Degrees
PhD, Ohio State University, Nutritional Biochemistry, 1967
MS, Ohio State University, Animal Science, 1966
BS, Ohio State University, Dairy Science, 1964
Keywords
livestock & animal science dairy science biochemistry & molecular biology
Languages
English, German
Honors

Distinguished Alumni Award (Lifelong Research and Teaching Excellence in Higher Education), College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (Ohio State University), 1998

Animal Growth and Development Award (Research Achievements in Animal Protein Synthesis, Degradation and Development), Hoffman-La Roche (American Society of Animal Science), 1991

Nutrition Research Award (Protein Nutrition, Ruminal Microbial Protein Synthesis and Amino Acid Needs of Ruminants), American Feed Manufacturers Association (American Society of Animal Science), 1979

Associations
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Society for Nutritional Sciences
American Society of Animal Science
Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine
The Nutrition Society