Biotechnologies of animal products
Academic Year 2018/2019 - 1° Year- Animal products authentication: Luisa Biondi
- Molecular genetics in animal breeding: Donata Marletta
Taught classes: 56 hours
Exercise: 56 hours
Term / Semester: 1°
Learning Objectives
- Animal products authentication
Aim of the course is to know the reliable bio-markers aiming at the authentication of animal products, with particular emphasis on the feeding system authentication.
- Molecular genetics in animal breeding
To provide knowledge on molecular biology techniques applied to the management and the breeding of the livestock breeds and populations and to the quality and genetic traceability of the animal productions.
Course Structure
- Animal products authentication
Classes, seminars and practice exercise (classroom and/or laboratory exercise and/or technical visit).
- Molecular genetics in animal breeding
Lectures, exercises, seminars, technical visits.
Detailed Course Content
- Animal products authentication
1. Tracking and tracing: definitions and outlines of the EU rules.
2. Products of animal origin: elements of animal production systems; elements of physiological basis of milk and meat production; breeding system and product quality.
3. Authentication of feeding system and/or geographic area of origin.
- Data statistical analysis: basic knowledge.
- Direct, indirect and physics biomarkers.
- Factors affecting the biomarkers variability in feedstuffs.
- Biomarkers metabolism in domestic animals.
- Biomarkers as a tools for the traceability of feeding system or geographic area of production: scientific literature examination.
- Molecular genetics in animal breeding
Genetics of quantitative traits. Population genetics: genetic structure of animal populations. Livestock biodiversity characterization. Molecular markers in animal breeding. Characterization of livestock genomes. DNA-Chip and main bioinformatic tools (outlines). Major genes associated to animal productions. Candidate genes, QTLs and Marker Assisted selection. Genomic selection. Molecular markers and genetic traceability in animal productions. Main reproductive biotechnologies and cytogenetic analysis.
Textbook Information
- Animal products authentication
Cassandro M., Mele M., Trevisi E. (ed.) 2010. Sicurezza e tracciabilità nei sistemi di produzione del latte. Aracne editrice s.r.l., Roma.
Secchiari P. (a cura di) 2014. Alimenti di origine animale e salute. Fondazione Iniziative zooprofilattiche e zootecniche. Brescia, n. 95.
Selected papers, published in international scientific journals, will be given to the students during the class meetings.
All the suggested study sources, including the slides commented in the class, will be available on Studium http://studium.unict.it/dokeos/2018/
- Molecular genetics in animal breeding
Barcaccia, Falcinelli “Genetica e genomica- VOL III” Liguori Editore; Pagnacco “Genetica animale. Applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Selected scientific papers, published in international scientific journals, will be given to the students during the class meeting.
All the suggested sources, including the slides commented in the class, are available on Studium.