Kenneth J. Rodnick, Ph.D.

Professor
Biochemistry & Physiology

rodnkenn@isu.edu

Education

1989, Ph.D. Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
1984, M.A. Exercise Science and Nutrition, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1982, M.S. Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1979, B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of California, Davis, CA

1989-1991, Postdoctoral fellow, Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Rodnick joined the Department of Biological Sciences in 1993. He is a comparative physiologist with primary interests in biochemical, cellular, and structural adaptations of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Perhaps the most adaptable cells of vertebrates are those that produce or are subjected to mechanical stress, namely myocytes. Muscle is often called a "plastic tissue" because of its extreme adaptability to altered functional demand. Importantly, both cardiac and skeletal muscle are determinants of locomotion and therefore vital tissues for overall animal health and fitness.

Dr. Rodnick's research focuses on understanding how environmental variables such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and diet affect the physiological performance of fish. All but a few fishes are in thermal equilibrium with their environment and either cold or warm temperatures present a significant challenge to normal function. His primary focus is the cardiovascular system of salmonid fishes, with extensions to skeletal muscle. He conducts research to identify the metabolic and functional limitations of trout cardiomyocytes during hypoxia and reoxygenation. His laboratory was also very interested in understanding sex differences and steroid hormone effects on cardiac energetics and performance. His work is also directed at helping the aquaculture industry understand nutrient utilization in trout and design better diets to promote efficient growth and health.

Dr. Rodnick's group conducts studies in the field, at aquaculture facilities, and in the laboratory. He employs a variety of techniques, spanning from the molecular to studies of whole animals. Examples of these techniques include field respirometry and swim performance measurements on wild fish, noninvasive ECG, and echocardiography, direct measurements of blood pressure and cardiac output, in vitro studies with isolated cardiac tissues, biochemical assays of enzyme activity and kinetics, immunoblotting for specific proteins that impact cardiac energetics, and quantitative microscopy.

Selected Publications

Syme DA, Gamperl AK, Nash GW, Rodnick KJ. Increased ventricular stiffness and decreased cardiac function in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) at high temperatures. Am J Physiol (Regul Integr Comp Physiol) 305:R864-R876, 2013.

Clark SLD, Santin AE, Bryant PA, Holman RW, Rodnick KJ. The initial non-covalent binding of glucose to human hemoglobin in non-enzymatic glycation. Glycobiology 23:1250-1259, 2013.

Becker TA, Dellavalle B, Gesser H, Rodnick KJ. Limited effects of exogenous glucose during severe hypoxia and lack of hypoxia-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated rainbow trout cardiac muscle. J Exp Biol 216:3422-3432, 2013.

Santin AE, Searle AJ, Winston VD, Powell MS, Hardy RW, Rodnick KJ. Glycated hemoglobin is not an accurate indicator of glycemia in rainbow trout. Comp Biochem Physiol A 165:343-352, 2013.

Wacyk J, Powell M, Rodnick K, Overturf K, Hill RA, Hardy R. Dietary protein source significantly alters growth performance, plasma variables and hepatic gene expression in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed amino acid balanced diets. Aquaculture 356: 223-234, 2012.