The research aim to study the genetic basis of differences
between the productive performances in animals of different species
(cattle, pigs, sheep, goat and horses). In particular, in
bovine specie the study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci
(QTLs) for the milk yield and the protein percentage and to
study the variability in candidate genes for the milk quality
traits. In horses research is geared to increase knowledge in genes
important for productive performances or behavioral traits, while
in pigs researches are aimed to study the variability in candidate
genes for carcass and meat quality traits. Attention is also for
the traceability of products such as meat or processed cheeses
using a molecular approach.
The subjects of
research concern mainly the study of genetic diversity in the
livestock specie to improve animal productions. As for dairy cattle
and in particular Italian Holstein Frisian breed, the researches
aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for milk
production (milk fat and protein yield) and milk quality traits
(fat and protein percentages and somatic cells count) using
"daughter design" and selective DNA pooling. In particular, we
analyzed pool of DNA extracted from milk samples of the daughters
of bulls heterozygous at marker loci and with divergent estimated
breeding values for the considered traits. The complete genome scan
using microsatellite markers has already identified several
chromosome regions with a significant effect on production and
quality of milk . Furthermore, we study the variability in
candidate genes (for their position and / or function) for the
production traits or the quality traits of milk. In horses means to
deepen the knowledge of genes, yet little studied in order to know
the organization of genes (exons, introns and regulatory regions),
identify and characterize the variability and to analyze the
genetic structure in different breeds and populations. The research
on the pigs are aimed to studying candidate gene for the carcass
and meat quality traits. The issue of traceability of products
using a molecular approach seeks to identify the animal comes from
products such as meat or processed cheeses. Traceability is an
important aspect to ensure the safety of foods and promote the
typical products of high quality.
