93970 - Precision Breeding and Selection

Learning outcomes

At course completion, the student possesses knowledge on: the definition of selection objectives in the main species of zootechnical interest in relation to the various production systems; the application of genetic improvement principles, including the collection of phenotypic information and pedigree data in zootechnical populations; the use of genomics for animal selection. In particular, the student possesses the skills to: prepare selection procedures for animals of zootechnical interest; organize the collection of essential phenotypic information; estimate genetic and genomic indices for the animals in selection; analyze genomic data to use for selective purposes.

Course contents

• Domestication of farm animals
  
• Quantitative genetics: basic genetic model for quantitative traits, heritability, polygenic selection.
• Population genomics and genomic selection: genetic structure of breeds, selection signatures, inbreeding, and crossbreeding.
• Applied genomics: use of SNPs, GWAS, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and genome editing (e.g., MSTN).
  
• Phenomics and product quality: traceability, authenticity, genetic markers associated with meat and milk quality.
• Genomics and authentication of animal-derived food products.
  

Teaching methods

Slides, esercizi

Assessment methods

The individual exam (approximately 20 minutes) will be based on the assessment of one topic of the student's choice and two additional topics. The final grade (from 1 to 30L) will be obtained considering the basic knowledge, ability of connections among topics and the ability to utlilse tools and concept of the course to adress prectical problems.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Bertolini