**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EXPERTS AGREE THE GLOBAL POPULATION WILL REACH OVER 9 BILLION INHABITANTS BY 2050; THEREFORE, MEAT PRODUCTION MUST INCREASE BY 60-90% WORLDWIDE TO MEET THIS ANTICIPATED GROWTH IN DEMAND. HOWEVER, POPULATION PRESSURES LIMIT AVAILABLE FARMLAND. AS SUCH, OUR GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF MEAT ANIMAL PRODUCTION WORLDWIDE. SKELETAL MUSCLE IS THE LARGEST TISSUE IN MEAT PRODUCING ANIMALS AND IS METABOLICALLY ACTIVE, ACCOUNTING FOR UPWARDS OF 90% OF ALL GLUCOSE USE. MUSCLE MANAGES NUTRIENT UTILIZATION THROUGH A SET OF COMPLEX BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS THAT ALLOCATES SUBSTRATES TO GROWTH PROCESSES OR TO BE USED AS FUEL TO MEET ENERGY DEMANDS OF THE CELL. THE LATTER IS OFTEN THOUGHT TO BE THE MAIN FUNCTION OF MITOCHONDRIA, ORGANELLES THAT ARE AT THE CROSS-ROADS OF CELLULAR METABOLISM. HOWEVER, WE HYPOTHESIZE THESE ORGANELLES PLAY A DIFFERENT ROLE IN MUSCLE GROWTH, AND THEIR SYNTHESIS OF CELLULAR ENERGY CURRENCY MAY BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO EFFICIENT GROWTH. WE EXPECT MITOCHONDRIA TO FACILITATE MUSCLE GROWTH BY DIRECTING SUBSTRATES TO SUPPORT MUSCLE GROWTH RATHER THAN BEING BURNED OFF. ONCE WE IDENTIFY THESE ADAPTATIONS, WE CAN USE THIS VALUABLE INFORMATION TO IMPROVE FEED EFFICIENCY. THIS COULD SAVE THE PORK INDUSTRY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY AND REDUCE WASTED RESOURCES.