65860 - Methods of Molecular Genetics for the Improvement of Livestock Production

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course  the student will learn the basis of molecular genetics and the corresponding applications  to the zootechnical fields. Arguments concerning in particular the procedures and the  main technologies of functional and structural genomics to identify genes controlling productive and reproductive traits of farm animals will be developed in sinthesys . Moreover the opportunities and the perspectives deriving from the application of biotechnolgies  for the analysis of genes and genomes  of farm animals to improve the efficiency of selection will be considered with particular  attention to the improvement  of the quality of animal products

Course contents

Prerequisites - The student approaching to this teaching should  already know the aspects concerning the basis of structure and functions of genes and of genetic materials of the cells in addition to the essential basis of statistical metodology, the basis of quantitative genetics and  basis  of methods of genetic selection. Moreover it's necessary that the stucent can be able to read  the written english  to allow the comprehension and understanding  of the slides that the teacher will utilise during the lessons

Programme of the module-  Molecular genetics applied to animal productions: the tools and the aims.The genetic markers.Structure of DNA and of genes . RNA .  Outline on Gene mapping: update on mapped genes in the main specie of zootechnical interest. PCR technique- PCR RFLP -Genome variability SNP search and use of markers  to study quantitative traits in farm animals . Candidate gene approach.Techniques of identification of genes: approach of candidate genes and positional cloning. Microarray methods to analyse RNA . DNA Chip. SNP Chip.GWAS analysis in genomic selection for livestock. Gene expression studies to identify genes responsible for quantitative traits in  farm animals. QTL( Quantitative Trait Loci). Search of QTLs for traits of economic relevance. Use of QTL and candidate genesfor marker assisted selection. Major genes for milk and  meat production. Genes usefull for  animal product quality.Use of genetic marker for animal identification and kinship control. Outline on hightroughput  techniques  to study  differential gene expression between breeds and between tissues. Short description   on Next generation Sequencing and application in animla science . 

Readings/Bibliography

Lessons notes

Slides presented during lessons

slides  included in AMS campus in the web site

Teaching methods

Lessons to the students, exercises. Deeper investigation on some arguments chosen by the students.

Discussion with students on the main aspects of the arguments considered within the course .

Seminars with experts and technicians operating in National association of Breeders involved in the definition of selection schemes.

Assessment methods

The lessons of "Methods of  Molecular  Genetics  for the improvement of  animal products" is a module of the Integrated Course "Biotechnology applied to animal productions" Consequently the examination test  will be performed only at the end of the lessons of the two modules of the Integrated course described  and it's represented by an oral exam with few questions  to check if the student  achieved the knowledge of the elements developed during the course . Therefore, the evaluation  will take into account jointly the level of knowledge and  the skills acquired by the student in relation to the contents of all of the teaching units. The assessment of learning is done through an oral test, lasting about 20 minutes, during which the knowledge and skills acquired about each of the teaching units will be assessed. The final vote  expressed in thirthy will take into account   the evaluations obtained in  examinations  achieved in each module of the Integrated Course 

Teaching tools

Slides ppt. 

Simple scientific papers on some relevant  argument described to the students.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Davoli