Animal Science Department

Daniel G. Peterson, Ph.D.

Peterson's Web page

Daniel G. Peterson is a native of Southern California. He earned his bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of California at Davis. He earned his doctorate degree in animal science from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York with a focus in the molecular biology of nutrient metabolism.

Peterson leads the animal science department’s program in applied biotechnology through teaching and research. Peterson teaches a laboratory course, applied biotechnology in animal science, focusing on molecular biology techniques, experimental systems and design relating to animal systems. Peterson also teaches physiological chemistry and contributes to many other courses within the department. In addition to teaching, Peterson conducts research on the molecular aspects of nutrient metabolism and the interaction of nutrition and genome function.

Peterson has been recognized by the Nutrient-Gene Interactions Section of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences for his research and by Cornell University for his research accomplishments as well as for excellence in teaching. Professional memberships include the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, the New York Academy of Science, and the American Dairy Science Association.

Inquiries relating to graduate studies in Peterson’s laboratory are welcome.

Recent Publications, Proceedings, Abstracts:

• Peterson, DG, Scrimgeour, AG, McClung, JP, Koutsos, EA. 2006. A moderate zinc restriction affects intestinal health and immune function in lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice.  Submitted, J. Nutr. Biochem.

• Harvatine, K.J., D.G. Peterson, and D.E. Bauman. 2006.  Gene expression profile of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid in differentiated bovine mammary epithelial cells. 2nd International Symposium on Animal Functinal Genomics. Pg 16. Available online: http://isafg.msu.edu/abstracts/poster_abstracts_final.pdf

• Guenther, GG, Hylle, LM, Stahl, CH, Koutsos, EA, Peterson, DG. 2005.  Development of methods for the production of transgenic quail expressing an E. coli phytase gene. Transgenic Research 15(1) 115-130 (abstr.).

• Peterson, DG. 2005. Conjugated linoleic acids in the dairy cow: Biological activities and applications. Proc. Calif. Anim. Nutr. Conf. pp. 101-107

• Peterson, D.G., Matitashvili, E.A., Bauman, D.E. 2004. The inhibitory effect of trans-10, cis-12 CLA on lipid synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells involves reduced proteolytic activation of the transcription factor SREBP-1. J. Nutr. 134:2523-2527.