Meregalli A., Giorgetti A., Martini A., Bozzi R. – Fondamenti di anatomia, fisiologia e zoognostica. Liviana Editrice, Padova 1996.
Bittante G., Andrighetto I., Ramanzin M. – Tecniche di produzione animale. Liviana, Padova 2005.
Pagnacco G. – Genetica applicata alle produzioni animali. Città Studi Edizioni. 1997.
Dale J.W. von Schantz M. – Dai geni ai genomi. EdiSES s.r.l. 2004.
Reece R.J. – Analisi dei geni e dei genomi. EdiSES s.r.l. 2006.
Learning Objectives
A coordinate series of knowledge on the basis of selection programmes in animal production and the main elements of applied animal biotechnologies. Special focus will be given to: breeding programmes for livestock species, selection schemes, integration between molecular and quantitative genetics for animal selection. The course provides necessary background in biotechnologies applied to animal production to understand their use in the modern animal genetic improvement. Students should be able to interpret the selection schemes of livestock species and their integration with the molecular biotechnologies.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the main concepts of livestock species. Basic notions of animal biology and genetics.
Learning test will be carried out by an oral interview (at least 6 dates per academic year) of the indicative duration of 30-40 minutes. During the audit, questions will be asked about the topics discussed in the course and it will be asked to critically expose the content of a scientific article in the animal biotechnology sector.
The material needed for the study, in addition to the recommended textbooks, is made available online, through the UNIFI (Moodle) e-learning server.
Course program
Livestock species. Type traits evaluation. Selection schemes for dairy and beef cattle and swine. Phases of the selective process. Markers and linkage. Mutations and selection. Parentage testing. Practical application of biotechnologies. 'Traditional' and 'modern' biotechnologies; areas of application.
Molecular Techniques and Biotechnology Tools for Animal Science: RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, Microsatellite, SNP's.
Modern genetic selection techniques: (marker-assisted selection), daughter design, grand daughter design, F2, backcross design. Genomic selection. Two step selection. Single step selection. Prospects for improvement of livestock resources. DNA fingerprinting. Molecular population genetics. Small populations and biotechnology. Analysis of genetic variability, conservation of genetic diversity and biodiversity in livestock species. Objectives and conservation costs. Choice of conservation strategy. Measurement of biodiversity. Genetic distances. Conservation schemes.