NC1184: Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Skeletal Muscle Growth and Differentiation

(Multistate Research Project)

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The overall goal of this cooperative, multi-state, multidisciplinary, research project is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of meat production in the US and across the globe. Based on most predictions, world-wide meat production must increase nearly 50% by 2050 to meet the nutritional needs of a burgeoning world population. Moreover, meat animal production and allied industries contribute some $900 billion to the US economy each year. Meat production is not only necessary to support the health and well-being of a growing global citizenry but also a vibrant driver of the economy. In order to increase the efficiency and sustainability of lean muscle accretion, a more comprehensive understanding of the basic biological mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle accretion is necessary. Moreover, there needs to be technology developed so data-driven decision-making ability can be used to optimize further animal growth efficiency. While we have made great progress towards this goal under the current NC-1184 project, food security remains as one of six grand challenge areas identified by USDA-NIFA facing humankind. Food security or ensuring people across the globe have access to quality food, in this case meat and its importance to the well-being of US is best illustrated in our current pandemic. To that end, greater production efficiencies must be realized in growing meat animals and those mechanisms responsible for controlling muscle tissue growth need to be exploited to achieve this goal. Another grand challage that is addressed, albet to a lesser degree is childhood obesity. Skeletal muscle tissue represents some 40% of the body mass of most humans and as such is responsible for the bulk of glucose disposal by humans on a daily basis. Balancing glucose metabolism against fat deposition requires strict and complex communications between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, a process heavily investigated by those trying to augment animal growth. At the same time, however, these same mechanisms are at play in the obesity epidemic plaquing a greater and greater number of growing children and adults. The interplay between insulin, glucose uptake and the metabolic syndrome development is at the heart of those mechanisms controlling growth. Therefore, knowledge created by members of NC-1184 are applicable to childhood obesity. Interest in the project continues to grow, suggesting a large number of scientists/investigators and institutions regard discovery activities in the area of muscle growth a viable target for increasing animal productivity. In fact, over 50 scientists claim membership in NC-1184 from some 26 states across the country, many outside the North Central region of the US. Regardless, this heightened level of interest coupled with a rejuvenated membership has spawned a real enthusiasm for understanding the nuances of animal growth and meat production. The goal of NC-1184 project is to utilize molecular and cellular tools to examine the processes that control skeletal muscle growth and function; thereby, providing opportunities to increase the efficiency of lean meat production in animals.


This renewal describes the collaborative effort of some 26 different Agricultural Experiment Stations that will explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle growth and function. Major points that support the continuation of this important, fundamental research project for the next five years are:



  1. Meat is a significant source of protein for human consumption. Meeting the needs of a growing population will require significant growth in meat production world-wide. Though some of this growth will be realized by increasing animal units, greater outputs must be realized per animal unit. This will require a more thorough understanding of those mechanisms responsible for the efficiency of protein accretion.

  2. In 2012, the meat industry was responsible for nearly 6% of the GDP of the US. Ensuring the viability of this industry in times of elevated energy costs and concerns for the environment will require a better understanding of those inputs, and outputs, required by optimal meat animal production.

  3. The project continues to relate directly to the national agricultural research priorities set forth in the NIFA Strategic Plan (2014 – 2018) Goal 1: SCIENCE, subgoal 1.1 “Advance our nation’s ability to fight hunger and ensure global food security”. Performance Measures, as outlined in this same Strategic Plan include: 1.1.3 (conferences); 1.1.4 (peer-reviewed publications and 1.1.5 (research). “Improve understanding of fundamental animal physiological processes” (NIFA knowledge area 305) of this Objective is supported by the efforts of this re-written project. Improving the meat animal production efficiency based on a fundamental understanding of mechanisms controlling muscle growth, is directly related to this goal.

  4. One of the Actionable Strategies of NIFA Goal 1, subgoal 1.7.5 is "Number of graduate students post-doctorates engaged in NIFA-administered projects and programs with an integrated education component to improve educational opportunities in agriculture”. This is an important component of this project. Training undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctorates in basic fields will relate to long-term improvements in agricultural productivity.

  5. The NC-1184 Committee continues to be highly productive. Many papers emanating from this group of scientists are published in top tier journals often reserved for reporting fundamental knowledge. This reflects well on the aptitude of the membership and the basic nature of their approach in creation of new knowledge.

  6. The NC-1184 project is both a multi-state and a multidisciplinary project, involving the effort of investigators at 26 different State Agricultural Experiment Stations. The Principal Investigators represent a variety of basic science disciplines that complement each other and provide the expertise necessary to complete the objectives.

  7. The project continues to enjoy a strong collaborative environment. During the current project, there have been exchanges of data, scientists, students, samples, cell lines, reagents, etc. In addition, there has been vast knowledge sharing of techniques and on occasion, use of equipment only available at particular stations. The fruits of these collaborations are best illustrated by the number publications jointly authored among the membership.  8. Members of the NC-1184 committee have been and will continue to be highly successful in obtaining outside support to fund this research. Funding from the USDA NRICGP (AFRI) Program, NIH, NSF, health-related granting agencies, and industry sources are used to maintain a high level of productivity.


In summary, this project describes a fundamental research approach to an important agricultural issue, providing the world a high quality source of protein. The current membership has grown substantially and is highly qualified for making immediate and unprecedented progress towards the goals outlined in this revised project proposal.

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