Molecular Genetics and Animal Models

The Molecular Genetics and Applications in Animals Unit, part of the integrated course of Molecular Genetics and Animal Models, aims to provide or deepen theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge of the molecular genetic techniques which find concrete application in animal selection animals, in their biodiversity analysis, in mapping with molecular markers and identification of mutations causing diseases or traits of interest, in genetic diagnostics of domestic animals, as well as in authentication and traceability of products of animal origin.
The Unit also aims to introduce cultural and methodological bases for understanding the technological innovations in genomics. For this purpose, elements of genomics are provided, with particular attention to the structuring and how-to-use of genomic databases, genomic sequences, and their usefulness in genome editing and high-throughput genotyping of mammals.
The Unit also addresses the main specific aspects relating to the genetic standardization of animals for experimental use, mainly focusing on mice.

The Laboratory Animal Breeding Unit provides basic skills on the management and reproduction of mouse, rat, and guinea pig animal models to optimize their well-being and production, aiming to ensure both the quality of the experimental data with maximum levels of animal welfare and effectiveness in the management of the experimental animal facility.

Students will explore, using a molecular approach, the genetic principles and techniques that are applied in the breeding of both domestic and laboratory animals, in the evaluation of their biodiversity, in the mapping and identification of mutations, in genetic diagnostics, and in the authentication and traceability of products of animal origin. Students will also be introduced to the theoretical, methodological, and technical bases of genomic analysis.
To achieve these objectives, in addition to the frontal lessons, individual practical exercises are planned on a personal computer a) the use of online bioinformatic databases (NCBI, Ensembl) for the identification, starting from bibliographical indications, of genetic variations and sequences in diploid and haploid genomes, design of primers, RFLP, in silico PCR and control of conservation between species and between genera of the nucleotide regions, reading of electropherograms of nucleotide sequences Sanger (fluorescence method) for the identification of heterozygosity and the reconstruction of haplotypes. Individual exercises with Genome Data Viewer and analysis of reads for the identification of SNVs, delins, and CNVs in domestic animal genomes are also planned in the university computer room. In addition, practical seminars are planned at facilities of other centres of excellence in the territory.
Regarding the management of laboratory animals, students will acquire basic information in the technical-managerial, and environmental aspects and with references to biology aspects, respecting the welfare standards in force at the European level. To achieve this objective, in addition to lectures, exercises are planned at research facilities in the sector and centres specialized in laboratory animal breeding.