72709 - Advanced Genomic in Animal Production

Learning outcomes

Student knows high-throughput technologies to identify genes involved in production and reproduction traits in livestock species. Student understands the methodologies for functional and stuctural genomics for improving the efficiencies of breeding schemes. Students knows the most common bioinformatics resources used in animal breeding.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules of 24 hours each.

In module 2 the programme is as follows:

Introduction: Systems of animal production: domestication, productive systems intended for meat and milk production. The student knows the correct description of different systems of animal production and the concept of breeding objective.

Genome mapping: bases of genome mapping; markers for genomic mapping; physical mapping. The student knows the different types of molecular markers and in particular the most relevant for animal breeding.

Genome sequencing: from Sanger methods to Next Generation Sequencing. The student knows the different technique employed for sequencing (part of) the genome.

Practical activities: The rumen microbiota. Studies and discovery of the rumen microbial ecosystem, from the very beginning to the modern applications. The student has an hands-on approach to application of sequencing for the identification of microorganism in rumen of dairy animals.

In module 1 the program is as follows:

Association trait-genotype: the DNA-chip. Candidate gene approach and genome-wide association studies. The student knows the technology of DNA-chip for genotyping, and the different approach useful to estimate the association between molecular markers and trait important for animal breeding.

Phenotyping techniques: Collection of useful information important for animal breeding. Large-scale phenotyping. The student knows how to collect phenotypes important within an animal breeding scheme and how to collect information using high-throughput technologies.

Similarity among individuals: genetic and genomic relationship, inbreeding. Relationship matrices important for animal breeding. The student knows how to estimate the genetic and genomic relationship among individuals in population under selection, and the different relationship matrices useful for the estimation of animal breeding value.

Animal breeding: quantitative traits, animal model and its components. Methods to estimate animal breeding value; the response to selection and association between traits, genomic selection and its application. The student knows how to estimate variance components and how to estimate animal genetic and genomic breeding value. Moreover, the student learns how to evaluate an animal breeding program.

Other application of animal genomics: Genomics to study animal biodiversity, inbreeding depression, genomic inbreeding and run of homozygosity. Genomics to study animal products traceability. The student knows how genomics can be applied for the management of selected populations; he learns the different levels of genetic traceability and the different applications of genomics for the authentication of animal products.

 

During the course, a Student Journal Club will be organized. Students, divided in groups, will give a presentation on case studies published in peer-reviewed papers.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides, lectures notes and scientific papers provided during the course.

 

The following books are suggested for more details of lectures topics:

Genetica animale - applicazioni zootecniche e veterinaria. Giulio Pagnacco, casa editrice Ambrosiana.

Genomi 4. T.A. Brown, casa editrice EdiSES.

 

The material presented during the lectures will be available in VITUALE website (https://virtuale.unibo.it/); password for accessing the material is available upon request and at the beginning of the lectures.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures, seminars and individual/groups practical activities.

Assessment methods

The final exam is written and unique for both modules and is done using EOL platform (https://eol.unibo.it/), with both multiple-choice and open questions. Multiple-choice questions are 10 and each correct answer is evaluated +1 points, 0 for each wrong or missing answer. Open questions are 10 and each correct answer is evaluated +2, 0 for each wrong or missing question. Student Journal Club presentations are evaluted up to 5 bonus points on the final evaluation.

Time given to complete the exam is 90 minutes. During the exam no support, such as textbooks, notes, are allowed.

The maximum evaluation 30/30 cum laude. The exam is passed with a final evaluation of at least 18/30.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be given in the classroom using PowerPoint Presentations, videoprojectors and Microsoft Teams.

Office hours

See the website of Giulio Visentin

See the website of Alberto Palmonari