EDUCATION:
Ph.D. 2004 Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
MS 2001 Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
BS 1997 Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bucharest University, Romania
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2006 – present Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2004 – 2006 Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Lecturer, Introduction to Animal Genetics, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
1999 – 2004 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
1997 – 1999 Laboratory technician, James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Center for Canine Genetics and Reproduction
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Raluca Mateescu does research in the area of beef cattle and sheep molecular genetics. Most biological traits of economic importance in domestic animals have a complex inheritance (are influenced by many genes and the environment) and the long-term research goal is to unravel the genetic basis for the phenotypic variability in this type of trait.
Current projects:
Development of genetic tools to improve nutritional and health value of beef. The aim of this project is to identify the genetic mechanisms that determine the phenotypic variability for healthfulness traits. The molecular information generated through this project could lead to identification of molecular DNA markers to be incorporated into breeding decisions.
Genotype by diet interaction for nutritional and healthfulness traits in grass fed vs. traditional finished beef. Grass-based beef production systems are low-input systems that are particularly suitable to meet the demand of meat retailers and consumers for naturally and animal-friendly produced beef. There is clear evidence for an enhanced proportion of n-3 fatty acids and CLA in beef from grass fed animals compared with beef from animals fed corn silage and concentrate. There is also substantial phenotypic variability among animals fed the same diet. Studies of CLA content in milk fat shows large individual variation within diet (grass-fed vs. concentrate) but also an overlap of the two distributions, indicating potential genotype by environment interaction.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the variability of healthfulness and quality traits within diet, identify the underlying genetic mechanism and asses the genotype by diet interaction.
Genes (QTL) affecting breeding out of season and milk production in sheep. Determining candidate genes or DNA markers related to increased ability to breed and lamb out of season or higher milk production would increase our understanding of the basic biological mechanisms underlying reproduction and milk production and provide new tools for selection.
Fertility in fall lambing has low heritability; the trait is expressed only in females and late in life. At the same time, the trait has enormous economic importance for the sheep industry and is an obvious candidate for marker or gene-assisted selection. Two approaches are being used to identify QTL: a) candidate gene approach, which consists of studying genes potentially involved in the physiological process; and b) positional cloning, which is based on mapping QTL to progressively narrower chromosomal regions, using a series of microsatellite markers.
IN THE NEWS:
- SUNUP TV
Genetic research could unlock breeding seasons in sheep (Watch video)
- Cornell Chronicle
Researchers identify way to speed up sheep breeding (Read article)
PUBLICATIONS:
Mateescu, R. G., A. K. Lunsford, and M. L. Thonney. 2009. Association between Melatonin Receptor1A Gene Polymorphism and Reproductive Performance in Dorset Ewes. J. Anim Sci. 87:2485-2488.
Phavaphutanon, J., R. G. Mateescu, K. Tsai, P. A. Schweitzer, E. Corey, M. Vernier-Singer, A. Williams, N. L. Dykes, K. Murphy, G. Lust, and R. J. Todhunter. 2009. Quantitative trait loci for hip dysplasia in the Labrador retriever. Am. J. Vet. Res 70.
Mateescu R.G., N.I. Burton-Wurster, K. Tsai, J. Phavaphutanon, Z. Zhang, K.E. Murphy, G. Lust, R.J. Todhunter Identification of quantitative trait loci for osteoarthritis of hip joints in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, October 2008, 69(10):1294-1300.
Zhu L., Z. Zhang, P. Schweitzer, J. Phavaphutanon, M. Vernier-Singer, S. Friedenberg, R.G. Mateescu, G. Lust, G. Acland, R. Todhunter. Single nucleotide polymorphisms refine QTL intervals for hip joint laxity in dogs. Animal Genetics, April 2008, 39(2):141-6.
Thonney M.L., M.C. Smith, R.G. Mateescu, C. Heuer. Vaccination of ewes and lambs against parainfluenza3 to prevent lamb pneumonia. Small Ruminant Research, January 2008, 74(2008):30-36.
Liu T, R.J. Todhunter, S. Wu, W. Hou, R.G. Mateescu, Z. Zhang, N.I. Burton-Wurster, G. M. Acland, G. Lust, R. Wu A random model for mapping imprinted quantitative trait loci in a structured pedigree: an implication for mapping canine hip dysplasia Genomics, August 2007, 90(2):276-84.
Hays L., Z. Zhang, R.G. Mateescu, G. Lust, N.I. Burton-Wurster, R.J. Todhunter Quantitative genetics of secondary hip joint osteoarthritis in a Labrador Retriever–Greyhound pedigree American Journal of Veterinary Research, January 2007, 68(1):35-41.
Burton-Wurster N.I., R.G. Mateescu, R.J. Todhunter, K.M. Clements, Q. Sun, V. Scarpino, G. Lust. Genes in canine articular cartilage which respond to mechanical injury: Gene Expression Studies with Affymetrix Canine Genechip Journal of Heredity, November 2005, 96(7):821-8.
Mateescu R.G., Z. Zhang, K. Tsai, J. Phavaphutanon, N.I. Burton-Wurster, G. Lust, R. Quaas, K. Murphy, G.M. Acland, R.J. Todhunter. Analysis of allele fidelity, polymorphic information content, and density of microsatellites in a genome wide screening for hip dysplasia in a cross breed pedigree. Journal of Heredity, November 2005, 96(7):847-853.
Todhunter R.J., R.G Mateescu., G. Lust, N.I. Burton-Wurster, N.L. Dykes, S.P. Bliss, A.J. Williams, M. Vernier-Singer, E. Corey, C. Harjes, R.L. Quaas, Z. Zhang, R.O. Gilbert, G. Casella, R. Wu and G.M. Acland. Quantitative Trait Loci for Hip Dysplasia in a Crossbreed Canine Pedigree Mammalian Genome, September 2005, 16(9):720-730.
Todhunter R.J., R.G. Mateescu, Z. Zhang, N.L. Dykes, N.I. Burton-Wurster, G. Lust Diagnosis and Genetic Locus Mapping for Canine Hip Dysplasia Veterinary Forum, August 2005, 22(8):39-44.
Mateescu R.G., R.J. Todhunter, G. Lust, N.I. Burton-Wurster. Increased MIG-6 mRNA transcripts in osteoarthritic cartilage. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, July 2005, 332(2):482-6.
Mateescu R.G. and M.L. Thonney. Effect of testosterone on IGF-I, AR and myostatin gene expression in splenius and semitendinosus muscles in sheep. Journal of Animal Science, April 2005, 83(4):803-9.
Mateescu R.G. and M.L. Thonney. Gene expression in sexually dimorphic muscles in sheep. Journal of Animal Science, July 2002, 80(7):1879-87.
Back to: Animal Science | OSU
RALUCA
MATEESCU
Assistant Professor
Animal Molecular GeneticsPhone: 405.744.8851
Fax: 405.744.7390
E-mail: raluca@okstate.edu
Teaching:
Research: