PROJECT

PigPhenomics - Applied phenomics and genomics in pigs for the identification and use of new phenotypes in breeding plans - is a research project that involves the Universities of Bologna, Milan and Padua. The project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), within the PRIN 2017 research programme (Research Projects of National Relevance).

AIM OF THE PROJECT

The project is mainly focused on developing phenomics approaches and derived markers to design novel breeding plans including genomic selection in heavy pig breeds and commercial lines. The main objectives of the project are:

  1. to identify markers (e.g. physiological markers, metabolites, fat compounds for boar taint parameters) useful to describe novel and extensive phenotypes that could address new breeding goals (increased efficiency, welfare, resilience of animals and production systems);
  2. to link these markers to the genetic variability in different heavy pig populations for the development of new breeding plans.

THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

 The project includes three complementary and integrated experimental designs:

  1. a longitudinal experiment that uses phenomics approaches to define resilience parameters in pigs;
  2. phenomics approaches are then transferred to the second experimental design based on a performance tested Italian Large White pig population in which metabolomics and genomics are merged to characterize at the genome level novel phenotypes defined following systems biology approaches;
  3. the third experimental design links the second experiment exchanging at the genome level information adding possibilities in genomic selection for novel traits including boar taint in boars.

ACTIVITIES

 The project is divided into four Work Packages (WPs) :

  1. WP1 (UNIBO) - Coordination, management, measures to maximize impact and dissemination;
  2. WP2 (UNIMI) - Analysis of new phenotypes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
  3. WP3 (UNIPD) - Definition of the experimental designs and populations, collection and analysis of phenotypes;
  4. WP4 (UNIBO) - Genomics, systems biology and genomic selection approaches.