D0196 - BIOTECNOLOGIE DELLA NUTRIZIONE ANIMALE, MICROBIOMA E ALIMENTAZIONE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge of the principles underlying the functioning of the digestive system and of the gastrointestinal and milk microbiome, with reference to their role, composition, development, and functions. The student will also become familiar with the main molecular techniques for microbiome analysis, as well as the interactions between the microbiome, diet, and environmental effects.

Course contents

This course unit is part of the Integrated Course "D0195 DIAGNOSTIC, NUTRITIONAL AND FOOD SAFETY BIOTECHNOLOGIES"

Upon completion of the integrated course, students will have acquired knowledge and understanding of:

• the physiology of the digestive system and the characteristics of the gastrointestinal and milk microbiomes, with particular reference to their composition, development, functions, and interactions with diet and the environment;
• the principles of European food safety legislation, chemical and biological hazards, food risk assessment processes, and the main analytical technologies used in food control;
• the principles of epidemiology, measures of disease frequency, risk analysis, and sampling plan design;
• the principles of laboratory medicine and the diagnostic procedures applied to infectious and parasitic diseases;
• the taxonomy, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of the main parasitic zoonoses;
• the main biochemical, microscopic, molecular, and automated techniques used in the analysis of biological and food samples.

By the end of the course, the student understands the fundamental principles of digestive system function; is familiar with the concept of the gastrointestinal (and milk) microbiome in terms of its role, structure, composition, and development; understands the main molecular techniques for microbiome analysis and study; is familiar with the main interactions between the microbiome and nutrition, with reference to feed efficiency, nutritional disorders, dysbiosis, pollutant emissions (GHGs, nitrogen, etc.), and intervention strategies; and is able to perform DNA extraction techniques from different biological matrices, as well as isolate and culture bacterial strains from biological samples (milk). Course contents

The structure and metabolic pathways of the gastrointestinal tract of the main species of livestock (cattle, pigs, poultry) are taken back, with reference to the nutritional composition of animal feed.

The concept of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal system is introduced and deepened, in terms of role, structure, composition and development.

References are given regarding the structure of the milk microbiota.

The main molecular techniques of microbiome analysis and study are presented.

The main internal and external factors affecting the microbiome are presented.

The main interactions between microbiome and nutrition are described, with references to food efficiency, nutritional pathologies, dismicrobisms, emissions of pollutants (GHG, nitrogen, etc.).

Various intervention strategies such as organic acids, prebiotics, probiotics, natural antimicrobials, vitamins and minerals for the modulation of microbial conorbium are discussed.

In the practical laboratory activity, the student learns techniques of DNA extraction from different biological matrices, isolation and culture of bacterial strains from biological samples (milk).

The syllabus is structured as follows:

- general introduction = 2h

- Definitions and characterization of the G.I. Tract Microbiota = 4h

- Growth and Developtment of the G.I. Tract Microbiota = 2h

- Inra-Microbiota interactions: crossfeeding and interference = 4h

- Nutrient Microbial metabolisms: energy = 2h

- Nutrient Microbial metabolisms: nitrogen and minerals = 2h

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment

(https://virtuale.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=74183).

Teaching methods

The course is strucured on oral lessons

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning outcomes for the Integrated Course “D0195 – DIAGNOSTIC, NUTRITIONAL AND FOOD SAFETY BIOTECHNOLOGIES” consists of a multiple-choice test covering the topics addressed in all the course units that make up the Integrated Course.

The test consists of 32 multiple-choice questions distributed among the course units as follows:

• D0196 – Animal Nutrition Biotechnology, Microbiome and Feeding: 8 questions
• D0199 – Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 4 questions
• D0200 – Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases: 4 questions
• D0198 – Laboratory Diagnostics: 8 questions
• D0197 – Technologies and Biotechnologies Applied to Food Safety: 8 questions

Each question has five answer options, only one of which is correct. Scores are awarded as follows: 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for each incorrect or unanswered question.

Students will have 30 minutes to complete the test. The final score will be converted to a grade out of 30.

The examination is considered passed if a minimum final grade of 18/30 is achieved.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en ) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade once by notifying the lecturer responsible for recording the grade by email within five working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Prof. Giampiero Pagliuca.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

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.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during the multiple-choice assessment. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Main teaching tools are .ppt slides, recent scientific papers and shared protocols for the practical part.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Palmonari