Samer El-Kadi

• Ph.D., Animal Science, 2006, University of Maryland
• M.S., Poultry Science, 2000, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• Diploma, Agriculture Engineer, 1998, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
• B.S., Agriculture, 1998, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

My research interest is primarily to elucidate the underlying factors that contribute to macronutrient metabolism. My research is centered on two areas. One research area has focused on understanding why amino acids are catabolized excessively by splanchnic tissues (mainly liver and intestines), and whether dietary or physiologic factors such as amino acid supplies or muscle growth could affect their metabolism. To get insight into the partitioning of amino acids to anabolic and catabolic pathways we are using the multi-catheterized ruminant model and primary epithelial cell culture in combination with stable isotope dilution and ¹³C-mass isotopomer distribution analysis (¹³C-MIDA) techniques. Another area has focused on investigating the in vivo regulation of protein turnover in growing pigs. To achieve this goal we are applying a multifaceted approach that combines protein expression and targeted metabolite analyses to measure protein synthesis and degradation in muscles. The immediate objectives are to improve our understanding of how amino acids are utilized and how protein synthesis and degradation are controlled in the growing animal. The overarching goal is to identify areas where novel dietary or management interventions could be used to enhance growth and improve the efficiency with which amino acid are deposited in muscles.