Novel Methods with Transdisciplinary Applications for Use in Large Animal Models

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editor

Sarah White-Springer

Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Dr. Sarah White-Springer is an Assistant Professor of Equine Physiology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She received her B.S. in Animal Science with a focus on equine science and a minor in Management and Sales in Agribusiness from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She also received her M.S. and PhD from the University of Florida majoring in Animal Science with an equine nutrition focus and a PhD minor in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. Following completion of her PhD, Dr. White-Springer completed postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY investigating human and murine models of muscle disease. Her current research interests include modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism and mitochondrial function to optimize performance in health and disease of equine athletes, beef cattle, swine, sheep, and aging humans.

Collection Overview

Use of large animal models to answer important biological research questions is becoming increasingly more common. This is due, in part, to the ever-growing body of literature demonstrating similarities in various physiological systems between large animals and humans. However, a lack of novel technologies that are routinely utilized in human and rodent research limits the impact of research conducted in large animal models. This Methods Collection brings together novel methods of quantifying various physiological adaptations to interventions including nutrition, management, and stress. Examples of methods to be included in this collection are high-sensitivity, high-throughput quantification of cytokine concentrations, in situ quantification of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and ATP production, and novel means to determine exercise intensity.