Descrizione del progetto
Un’analisi omica tridimensionale delle interazioni ospite-microbiota per far progredire la produzione animale
La spiegazione della conformazione tridimensionale delle biomolecole di cellule e tessuti è un elemento essenziale per comprendere le interazioni biomolecolari. Il progetto 3D-omics, finanziato dall’UE, intende sviluppare, ottimizzare e implementare le conoscenze sulle interazioni biomolecolari per applicarle alla produzione animale. L’obiettivo è produrre contesti omici tridimensionali, ottenendo ricostruzioni degli ecosistemi intestinali del microbiota ospite. Il progetto, utilizzando i sistemi di produzione di pollame e suini, analizzerà gli effetti dei vari fattori, tra cui lo sviluppo, l’alimentazione, l’esposizione ad agenti patogeni e le pratiche di gestione degli animali nei contesti omici tridimensionali. La ricerca innovativa aprirà la strada al miglioramento delle pratiche di allevamento animale, allo sviluppo di foraggi personalizzati su microbiota e ospite e ai trattamenti sanitari degli animali, accrescendo così l’efficienza produttiva e il benessere animale.
Obiettivo
Understanding the interplay between animals and microorganisms associated with them has been recognised as an essential step for improving animal health, welfare and production. To understand the biomolecular interactions that impact production processes, researchers are implementing novel analytical strategies based on studying host genomes, their microbial metagenomes as well as the different ‘omic layers interconnecting them. However, such information, derived from conventional DNA/RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry, does not provide any information about how the different biological elements are spatially distributed in the ecosystem. In consequence, many microbe-microbe and animal-microbe interactions remain hidden due to the lack of resolution of the employed techniques. Acknowledging the three-dimensional (3D) conformation of biomolecules, cells and tissues is now considered a key element for advancing the understanding of biomolecular interactions. In 3D’omics we will develop, optimise and, for the first time, implement this technology in animal production to generate the so-called 3D’omic landscapes, the most accurate reconstructions of intestinal host-microbiota ecosystems ever achieved. Using two terrestrial production systems, namely poultry and swine, we will analyse the effect of a myriad of factors, including animal development, diet, exposure to pathogens and management practices, in the shaping of 3D’omic landscapes. Through coupling our new technology with cutting edge analyses of animal health and performance, we will advance phenotypic variability and genetic evaluations of production animals to a new frontier. We foresee our solution will open new research avenues to improve animal breeding practices, develop microbiota- and host-tailored feeds and animal health treatments, as well as to design new management practices that will enable increasing production efficiency and animal welfare while decreasing the environmental impact.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgenetics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economics
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandryanimal feed
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
1165 Kobenhavn
Danimarca