Thanks for visiting the website of the Hackmann Lab of the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis.
Our lab is focused on the energetics, physiology, and ecology of gut microbes. We are particularly interested in microbes of the rumen (forestomach) of cattle and other ruminants. These microbes form a mutualism with their ruminant host and ferment fibrous feeds.
Our focus
Our goal is to improve efficiency of gut microbes, which will improve the efficiency of livestock production in turn.
Our research
We are increasing efficiency of gut microbes in several ways:
• Tackling poor efficiency of microbial growth
• Determining how much energy microbes harvest from fermentation
• Identifying what food (substrates) uncultured bacteria eat
Our team
Our lab welcomes graduate students, undergraduate interns, and others. Interested in joining? Find out more here.
Our supporters
Work in our lab is supported by US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy (DOE), and others
