Animal genomics and genetic improvement
Domestication, which began around 15,000 years ago, has shaped the genome of numerous animal species which today harbours characteristics known as signatures of selection, as result of the animal's adaptation to environmental changes (natural selection) or human’s selection.
Identifying these selection signals provides information to understand animal evolution and adaptation to different environments and to identify the genetic determinants responsible for livestock production traits.
South American camelids such as the alpaca and some cashmere goat breeds, are exceptional models for the study of selection processes as they are bred in the extreme environments that characterize the Andean mountain and the sandy Alashan desert of Inner Mongolia where natural selection plays a fundamental role.
The research activity is focused on the identification of selection signals, both natural and artificial, in the genome of the two species through a whole genome sequencing approach. Another fundamental aspect concerns the identification of the gene variants responsible for the quality of the fibre, the main product obtained from the breeding of these animals. The research activity is accompanied by a plan of selection and genetic improvement of the Alashan cashmere goat (Inner Mongolia, China) whose aim is to create a new improved breed, the "Super-fine Alashan White Cashmere".
Keywords - ENGLISH
artificial selection, genetic improvement, genomics, natural selection, whole genome sequencing, zootechnics
Active participants in the research line (PI last author or *)
Stefano Pallotti; Carlo Renieri; Valerio Napolioni
External Collaborations
Marco Antonini (ENEA: Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development, Roma, Italy); Sun Haizhou (Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Zhaoju Road NO.22, Yuquan District, Hohhot, China)
Pillar
Animal Health
Macroareas in Animal Health
Animal productions and pets
Relevant research grants (national/international) funding specifically this Research Line
Progetto Super-fine White Alashan Cashmere Goat (Mingyuan) Loro Piana; Sperimentazione e Management Suino della Marca (S.M.S.M.), PSR Marche 2014/2020, ID domanda di sostegno 68830
Email Address
valerio.napolioni@unicam.it
Link to Relevant Publications