Mission:
The mission of the Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) is to develop the knowledge and technology to improve genetic and reproductive traits, nutrient utilization and disease resistance in livestock and poultry to enhance growth, product quality and maintain superior genetics for economic gain. To accomplish this, we: study genes responsible for the uptake/utilization of nutrients and the impact of environment; identify innate immunity mechanisms in animals and host-pathogen interactions to develop strategies that enhance innate immunity; develop novel alternative antimicrobials to mitigate the use of classical antibiotics; refine nuclear cloning and genome modification technologies to enhance genetic potential; elucidate physiological processes regulating efficient prenatal and post-hatch development and survival; improve semen cryobiology and storage techniques and develop alternative strategies for germplasm preservation.