• They study animal nutrition and food science. In addition to providing an excellent source of nutritious food, poultry research has also made significant contributions to our understanding of many basic principles of biology. Advances in human nutrition, genetics, immunology, developmental biology, toxicology, biotechnology, and health have often been made possible by the use of avian models.
  • For example, many of NC State’s human vaccines were developed in chick and duck embryo systems. Much of what they know about the human immune system was first described using avian models. Likewise, most of the vitamins were first discovered as an offshoot of poultry nutrition studies. Either as a source of protein or as basic avian research or human biomedical model, poultry serves as a valuable contributor to human wellbeing.