Unit ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS

MENDELIAN GENETICS IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Code	A006114
CFU	3
Teacher	Stefano Capomaccio
Teachers	Stefano Capomaccio
Hours	38 ore - Stefano Capomaccio
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline della zootecnica, allevamento e nutrizione animale e della gestione aziendale
Sector	AGR/17
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	DNA: structure, mutations, genes, alleles, and loci. Mitosis and Meiosis. Chromosomes: autosomes, sex chromosomes, X-inactivation. Mendelian genetics, laws and exceptions. Codominance, multiple alleles, expressivity, penetrance, modifier genes, and lethal genes. Pleiotropy, epistasis. Chiasma and crossing-over. Linkage
Reference texts	Textbooks: Binelli, Ghisotti GENETICS, II/2023, EDISES Russel, Hertz & McMillan, ELEMENTS OF GENETICS, II edition, EDISES Reference texts: Lorenzetti, Ceccarelli, Rosellini, Veronesi, AGRICULTURAL GENETICS, Patron Editore The material presented in lectures will be available on Unistudium.
Educational objectives	The course represents the first genetics course in the Veterinary Medicine curriculum and focuses on the basic aspects of inheritance. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a solid foundation in genetics, both in terms of formal understanding and terminology, to prepare them for subsequent courses. The course represents the first genetics course in the Veterinary Medicine curriculum and focuses on the basic aspects of inheritance. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a solid foundation in genetics, both in terms of formal understanding and terminology, to prepare them for subsequent courses. D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must: -understand meiosis and mitosis, -understand genetic sex determination, -define genes, alleles, and loci, and mutations, -know Mendelian laws and their exceptions. D2 - APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the course, the student must: -identify the inheritance pattern (dominant/recessive) of Mendelian traits in animals, -recognize exceptions to Mendelian laws in animals. D3 - INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT At the end of the course, the student should be able to: -use Mendelian traits in breeding programs for animals. D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS At the end of the course, the student should be able to: -organize, prepare, and present a presentation on a Mendelian trait to an audience of peers, with personal evaluations supported by appropriate arguments, -engage in a discussion with peers or experts from different fields, including regulatory, scientific, procedural, and/or technological aspects, -demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral communication, and use sufficiently appropriate terminology for a correct approach to the profession, which is also important for job interviews. D5 - LEARNING SKILLS At the end of the course, the student should be able to: -consult and understand scientific texts, bibliographic updates, and regulations in order to apply them in all professional contexts, -possess a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject to ensure an acceptable foundation for continuing professional development through lifelong learning.
Prerequisites	None
Teaching methods	The course is organized as follows: -Classroom lectures covering all course topics; -Written exercises in the classroom. Students will be divided into groups for the exercises.
Other information
Extended program	THEORETICAL LECTURES Hereditary material: fundamental experiments. DNA, structure. Mutation, genes, alleles, and loci. Organization and transmission of hereditary material. Meiosis and Mitosis. Animal karyotypes. Mendel's experiments: Laws and exceptions. Linkage. Two-point test. Inheritance and sex. PRACTICAL LECTURES Exercises on genetics problems.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile

MOLECULAR GENETICS APPLIED TO DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Code	85104202
CFU	2
Teacher	Katia Cappelli
Teachers	Katia Cappelli
Hours	20 ore - Katia Cappelli
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline biologiche e genetiche animali e vegetali
Sector	AGR/17
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Genome study: structural and functional organization of the genome; molecular markers, NGS sequencing of genomes. Genome function: elements for studying gene expression, epigenetic regulation, gene editing. Molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases in animals. Elements of bioinformatics and use of biological databases PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES: creation of a molecular genetic test in sicilco (use of biological databases, molecular analysis tools, primer design)
Reference texts	Genomi 3 "T.A. Brown" Edises. Introduzione alla Bioinformatica "Arhur M.Lesk" McGraw-Hill. Sides of the lectures
Educational objectives	UNDERSTANDING At the end of the training, the student must: - know how to implement all the tools necessary to carry out molecular diagnosis and the prevention of genetic diseases - to be able to evaluate the characters of interest in animal populations from a genetic-molecular point of view - choose and evaluate the appropriate genetic / genomic tool for each disease - interpret the results of any genetic-molecular test carried out by another competent laboratory or facility. D3 - AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT At the end of the training, the student must: - be able to evaluate the genomic characteristics of the different species and apply them according to the characters / pathologies to be investigated - to know advanced genetic-molecular research methodologies to be applied for the investigations and more suited to the case in study D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS At the end of the training, the student must: - be able to appropriately and completely present the acquired knowledge - demonstrate language properties through the use of correct genetic terminology. D5 - LEARNING SKILLS At the end of the training, the student must: - be able to consult and understand scientific texts, field web tool, bibliographic updates as well as critically evaluate procedures and technologies; - be able to present the topics dealt with in a critical and interconnected way demonstrating the ability to use this knowledge to support other disciplines acquired or in acquisition. Day-one competences ESEVT SOP 2023: 2, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 24
Teaching methods	The course include 18 hours of theoretical lectures on all scheduled topics and 8 hours of practical classes imparted as molecular biology laboratory exercises and as computer room exercises. The practical lessons in the laboratory will involve a maximum of 15 students at same time that will participate provided of white coat. The practical classes in a computer room will involve a number of students equal to the stations available
Extended program	The gene and its organization in complex genomes: DNA manipulation, genome mapping, molecular markers. Methods for sequencing the genome: DNA sequencing, NGS technologies, assembly of contiguous DNA sequences, interpretation of genome sequences. Functional genomics: transcription and gene expression, mobile genetic elements, epigenetic signals. Genes that control hereditary diseases and their possible molecular diagnosis. Bioinformatic elements: nucleic acids and proteins databases, sequence alignments and primer design

VETERINARY GENETICS

Code	85004203
CFU	3
Teacher	Katia Cappelli
Teachers	Katia Cappelli
Hours	39 ore - Katia Cappelli
Learning activities	Affine/integrativa
Area	Attività formative affini o integrative
Sector	AGR/17
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Introduction to general animal husbandry: domestication of the main species, Intersexuality. Hybrids. Entography of horses, dogs, and cats; Genetic and molecular determinism of coat color in domestic animals. Main Mendelian diseases of domestic animals.
Reference texts	"Applied Animal Genetics" by G. Pagnacco, Zanichelli ed. Materials provided by the instructor
Educational objectives	D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must: - know the main breeds of domestic animals (horse, dog, cat) - know the main simple hereditary diseases in animals - know the genetic determinism of coat color - D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the training activity the student must: - identify the hereditary behavior of pathologies in animals - recognize the phenotypes linked to particular pathologies - recognize the main breeds of horses, dogs and cats D3 - JUDGMENT ABILITY At the end of the training activity the student must be able to: - use the knowledge D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must: - know the main breeds of horses, dogs and cats and the ... Hereditary behavior of diseases in animals - recognize the phenotypes linked to particular diseases, recognize the differences between horse, dog, and cat breeds - D3 - JUDGMENT MAKING At the end of the training activity, the student must be able to: - use knowledge of the genotype in animal mating programs. D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS At the end of the training activity, the student must be able to: - organize, prepare, and deliver, to an audience of people of the same level of preparation, a presentation on a Mendelian inherited disease with their own evaluations supported by appropriate arguments - sustain a cross-examination with people of the same level of preparation and experts in different topics, of a regulatory, scientific, procedural, and/or technological nature - demonstrate command of language in both written and oral form, as well as the ability to use sufficiently appropriate terminology for a correct approach to the profession, also important for job interviews. D5 - LEARNING ABILITY At the end of the training activity, the student must be able to: - consult and understand scientific texts, including innovative ones, bibliographic updates, and regulatory provisions, in such a way as to use them not only in contexts that are customary for the profession, including research, but also in original contexts; - possess a sufficiently broad mastery of the subject matter to guarantee an acceptable basis for continuing professional development throughout one's life, through lifelong learning. Day-one competences ESEVT SOP 2023: 1, 2, 3, 4
Prerequisites	Please look at ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
Teaching methods	The course is organized as follows: - lectures on all subjects of the course; - practical activities in "wet" or "dry" lab (students are divided in small groups)
Other information	Please look at ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
Learning verification modality	cfr. ZOOTECNICA GENERALE E MIGLIORAMENTO GENETICO
Extended program	The concept of species and breed. Domestication of the main domestic species. Crossbreeding and hybridization. (1 credit) Genetic and molecular bases of coat color determinism: basic model, melanins, alterations and markings in horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. Ethnography: main horse, dog, and cat breeds (1 credit) Main genetic diseases and their molecular diagnosis in horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. (1 credit) Practical activities: development of an in silico molecular test (use of biological databases, primer design, use of in silico molecular tools)

STATISTICS FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE

Code	GP005412
CFU	3
Teacher	Francesca Pierri
Teachers	Francesca Pierri
Hours	30 ore - Francesca Pierri
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline scientifiche propedeutiche applicate agli studi medico veterinari
Sector	SECS-S/02
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Detection of a statistical phenomenon. Distribution of a character and its representation. Summary of a character distribution. Analysis of the combination of two characters. Test theory notes Simple linear regression.
Reference texts	Suggested Borra, S. e Di Ciaccio, A. "Statistica per le scienze economiche e sociali" III edizione McGraw-Hill Education Triola, M.M e Triola, M.F. "Fondamenti di Statistica per le discipline biomediche". Pearson
Educational objectives	Providing students with the basics of statistics D1 KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student must have: 1) Knowledge of methods applicable in a statistical survey 2) Knowledge of the different types of variables (qualitative and quantitative). 3) Knowledge of the basics of descriptive statistics: frequency distributions, tabular and graphical representation, means, variability measurements and variability indices 4) Knowledge of the basic techniques for studying the association between two characters for identifying their dependence or independence 5) Knowledge of linear regression models applicability 6) Knowledge of test theory: null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, acceptance and rejection area, level of significance. D2 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the training the student will be able to: 1) Set up a search autonomously 2) Interpret research results D3 EXPRESSION OF JUDGEMENT At the end of the training the student will be able to: 1) analyse and comment on research findings 2) critically read and interpret the statistical aspects of a scientific publication D4 ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE At the end of the formative activity the student will be able to expose with appropriate language the methodologies of analysis applied and the results achieved within a statistical survey D5 ABILITY TO LEARN At the end of the formative activity the student will have 1) acquired familiarity with data analysis, data description and representation 2) developed critical and interpretive ability 3) acquired the statistical foundations necessary to understand more complex statistical analysis methods
Prerequisites	No prerequisites
Teaching methods	Teaching includes hours of theory and exercises. It is advisable to perform the assigned exercises.
Extended program	Definition of statistics. Population and sample. Phases of a statistical survey, sampling and sampling methods. Questionnaire and experimental protocol. Qualitative and quantitative variables. Descriptive statistics: Simple and cumulative, absolute and relative frequency distributions. Double distributions, conditional frequencies. Tabular representations. analytical averages (arithmetic mean) and average position (mode, median, quartiles and percentiles). Measures of variability and variability indices (simple, average absolute deviation, and quadratic; average differences; field or range of variation, variance and deviance) .. Analysis of the combination of two characters (dependency and independence). Outline the theory of Test: null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, acceptance and rejection area, level of significance. Simple linear regression: parameter estimation, interpretation of results, residue analysis

GENETIC EVALUATION OF LIVESTOK

Code	85004302
CFU	2
Teacher	Stefano Capomaccio
Teachers	Stefano Capomaccio
Hours	26 ore - Stefano Capomaccio
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline della zootecnica, allevamento e nutrizione animale e della gestione aziendale
Sector	AGR/17
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Recall: basic genetics. Recall: basic statistics. Population and Quantitative genetics. Relationship and inbreeding. Selection: theory and practice. Genetic index. Genomics. Genetics diseases of livestock.
Reference texts	R.M. Bourdon: 'Understanding Animal Breeding ', Pearson ed. Lecturer's stuff available from the UniStudium website.
Educational objectives	D1 - The student must acquire a solid knowledge of the theoretical foundations of animal genetic improvement: in particular, he/she will have understood the principles of a plan for the prophylaxis of Mendelian diseases and genetic liability to diseases, the practical importance of the additive infinitesimal model, fundamentals of methods for estimating genetic value and the practical use of molecular information in genetic selection. D2 - The student must be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the solution of small problems: calculate the risks deriving from different types of matings, calculate (additive) relationship and inbreeding coefficients, calculate the main parameters of a single quantitative locus and of a quantitative trait, estimate individual genetic merit, optimize the genetic progress, and critically analyze the available information on breding animals. Lo studente dovrà essere in grado di applicare le conoscenze acquisite alla soluzione di piccoli problemi: calcolare i rischi derivanti da diversi tipi di accoppiamenti, calcolare coefficienti di parentela e di consanguineità, calcolare i principali parametri del modello additivo a livello di singolo locus o di carattere, stimare il merito genetico individuale, ottimizzare il progresso genetico ed analizzare criticamente le informazioni disponibili sui riproduttori. D3 - The student must be able to independently judge the advantages and disadvantages of the various strategies to solve the problems that may arise at the different levels of a livestock genetic selection plan. D4 - The student must be able to communicate efficiently and effectively with the other operators (veterinarians, breeders, zootechnics) of the supply chain, using the technical-scientific vocabulary of the sector in an appropirate manner. D5 - The student must be able to learn the insights that may prove necessary for his/her subsequent professional activity. EAEVE Day One Competences: 2.3 (The structure, function and behaviour of animals and their physiological and welfare needs, including healthy common domestic animals, captive Wildlife and laboratory-housed animals) and 2.4 (A knowledge of the businesses related to animal breeding, production and keeping). Day-one competences ESEVT SOP 2023: 1, 2, 3, 12,
Prerequisites	Please look at ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
Teaching methods	Lectures will deal with all the main topics of the course. Practical training with own laptop (students divided into 4 rotating groups).
Other information	Please look at ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
Learning verification modality	Please look at ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
Extended program	LECTURES - Review of basic genetics: DNA, chromosomes, Mendel's laws and their exceptions. Qualitative and quantitative traits; major genes and liability. - Review of basic statistics: probability, binomial distribution, quantitative variables, normal distribution. - oopulation genetics: gene and genotypic frequencies; Hardy-Weinberg law; forces; genetic distances. - Resemblances between individuals: alike in state or identical by descent; relationships based on genealogical data; inbreeding. Resemblances based on molecular information. - Genetics of quantitative traits: infinitesimal additive model, heritability in broad and narrow sense, repeatability and correlations. - Individual genetic merit: selection index (BLP) and its properties; genetic index (BLUP); genomic index (GEBV: DGV and G-BLUP). - Selection: objective; the key equation: intensity, accuracy, genetic variability and generation interval. Economic indices. Correlated answer. The selection in Italy. - The main hereditary diseases of Italian breeds of cattle. Hereditary diseases of pigs. Genetic prophylaxis of scrapie.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile