9600331 Maruyama This award supports the collaboration of Dr. Kimiaki Maruyama of the Gene Evaluation and Mapping Laboratory at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and Dr. Mitsuru Naito of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, National Institute of Animal Industry (NIAI). Project funding will enable Dr. Maruyama to spend one year in Japan, resident at NIAI, to determine cellular functions of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in chicken embryonic cells and whole embryos. Dr. Maruyama has previously studied muscle protein gene expression and the expression of genes encoding MRFs which are implicated in directing embryonic cells to muscle cell lineage and activating muscle protein genes. Dr. Naito has successfully cultured chicken embryos in vitro to open an avenue to study gene functions in developing embryos. Dr. Maruyama will combine his expertise with that of Dr. Naito to pursue the research objectives. This proposal brings together research scientists from two countries working in the area of avian embryo development. The U.S. scientist will have the opportunity to become familiar with research techniques, equipment, and facilities at NIAI while contributing to the overall research effort. Therefore, this proposal fulfills the objectives of the Program in its exchange and transfer of scientific knowledge through international collaboration.
