Charles R. Long

My more recent research interests have focused on the role of histone and DNA methyltransferase genes in the control of epigenetic reprogramming during early bovine embryonic development. We are specifically interested in the exogenous stress that in vitro culture of embryos places on the epigenome and how these stresses manifest in altered or failed fetal development.

My laboratory also investigates novel transgenic approaches to enhance production and disease resistance traits in livestock and companion animals.  For example, Dr. Mark Westhusin and I have ongoing collaborations to produce biologically active proteins in the milk of transgenic animals.  Currently we maintain goats that produce antigens in their milk that can be purified and delivered as vaccines.  We have ongoing projects utilizing RNA interference and gene editing technologies to enhance production or fight a number of economically important livestock and human diseases. Furthermore, we utilize these same genetic engineering strategies to produce biomedical models of human disease.  Current projects are focused on development of inducible, tissue specific expression of transgenes to produce a model of human obesity and metabolic syndrome in swine.

Many of the projects are accomplished in collaboration with Drs. Golding, Westhusin and Kraemer of the Reproductive Sciences Laboratory.  This is dynamic group that offers a unique and stimulating environment for conducting research. In addition we maintain active collaborations with a number of other laboratories in academia, government and private industry.