Integration of novel phenotyping and omics-approaches for the sustainable management and breeding of autochthonous cattle genetic resources (POS-Cattle)

Details

ERC sector: LS9 - Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
ERC subsector: LS9_10 - Veterinary and applied animal sciences
Project start date: 12/10/2023
CUP: D53D23011780006
Financial support received: €80.114,00

Description and purpose

The main objective of the project is to merge phenotypic traits (related to cheesemaking efficency), some of which have never been previously analysed in two Italian local cattle breeds (Reggiana and Modenese), with omics data (genomic, metabolomic) to link phenotypes to genotype variability that could be useful to guide decisions in the management and breeding plans of Reggiana and Modenese genetic resources.

Website: https://site.unibo.it/pos-cattle/it

Purpose

The approach here used is to characterize RE and MO local breed for several phenotypes related to productive ability (e.g. milk quality and cheese-making efficiency), resilience (robustness) and metabolites in different bio-fluids. The use of omic measures (i.e. metabolites and genomic information) aims to link genotype-phenotype to improve the management and breeding of investigate populations. In such populations, the analysis of external phenotypes, molecular internal phenotypes together with the genomic information will result in a better understanding of the biological mechanisms and genetics of efficiency and resilience.

Expected results

1) The analyses of milk and cheese individual samples will be used to investigate cheese-making efficiency.

2) The metabolite information will provide baseline indicators to diagnose a healthy state and release a set of suitable biomarkers as a diagnostic tool to identify individuals under not-optimal conditions of productive efficiency and resilience.

4) A set of prioritized markers to improve cheese making efficiency and resilience related traits will be based on linking external and internal phenotypes with genomics. The prioritisation of such genomic regions is expected to improve selection efficiency to productive, resistance and health traits.

5) The strong dissemination and communication plan of this project will produce as a result a shift in knowledge for technical professionals involved in the management and breeding of the RE and the MO populations. The dissemination to scientific community will be ensured by presentation to national (Associazione per la Scienza e le Produzioni Animali - ASPA) and international conferences (e.g. International Society of Animal Genetics – ISAG; European Association of Animal Production – EAAP).

Achieved results

Determination of the genomic profile and milk cheesemaking efficiency traits for about 400 bovines.