Some of MAPLE's research activities are currently supported by funds from the United States Department of Agriculture's Competitive Grants Program (USDA NRICGP), and BARD, a competitive program which supports cooperative research between U.S. and Israeli scientists. To date, over $3.6 million in Federal funds has been obtained to support research. 

Students can earn a postgraduate degree in either Animal Sciences, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, or Nutritional Sciences, while participating in the following projects. As part of these projects, students will not only have the opportunity to interact with scientists from The Ohio State University, but also from USDA-ARS labs (see MAPLE team members page).

MAPLE's current projects include:

Genomics- and proteomics-based analyses of anaerobic cellulose-degrading bacteria:

• Special emphasis is being given to understanding how these bacteria adhere to plant surfaces.  Project outline and goals (technical #1) (non-technical #1)

Molecular-based analyses of protein-degrading ruminal bacteria: 

• These studies are designed to characterize key enzymes involved in protein turnover in livestock, and reduce nitrogen losses into the environment.  Project outline and goals (technical #2) (non-technical #2) 

The North American Consortium for Genomics of Fibrolytic Ruminal Bacteria: 

• Ohio State is the lead Institution for a project including microbiologists from Cornell, the Universities of Illinois and Guelph, and The Insititute for Genome Research (TIGR). Funds have been requested from USDA's Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS).  Project outline and goals (technical #3) (non-technical #3) 

MAPLE is also seeking additional funding to support a Program of Excellence in the Microbial Ecology of Food Animal Agriculture:

• In collaboration with scientists in the Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine, funds are being sought to augment faculty expertise in the area of molecular microbial ecology. Emphasis will initially be placed on the persistence and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in livestock environments. Proposal outline and goals: Microbial Ecology

Protozoal Ecology and its Impacts on Nitrogen Transactions in Ruminants

• The synergistic relationship of our team will provide quantitative information critical toward improving our mechanistic understanding of ruminal protozoal ecology and N retention in ruminants. Such information would be a crucial advancement toward improving the predictive value of rumen models and to minimize environmental impact of nitrogen in dairy waste.

  Project Outline and Goals (technical summary # 4) (Non-Technical Summary # 4)