Molecular Genetics and Animal Models
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The integrated course is composed of two units: Molecular genetics and applications in animals and Laboratory animal husbandry.
The aims of the unit of Molecular genetics and applications in animals are:
A. The in-depth theoretical description of molecular genetic methods and techniques used in animal selection, biodiversity evaluation, disease, and other inherited trait causative mutations identification and mapping, genetic diagnostics, as well as in authentication and traceability of animal origin products.
B. The brief description of the theoretical basis of the technological innovations in genomics. In detail, elements of genomics, a description of how genomic databases are structured and how to browse them, how to handle genomic sequences and their use in genomic editing, and high-throughput genotyping of mammals are provided.
C. The description of the principles of genetic standardization and nomenclature of lab animals, particularly mice and rats.
To achieve these aims, in addition to lectures, exercises, and one or more educational visits to research and service facilities in the area are planned.
The objectives of the Laboratory Animal Husbandry unit are:
A. To outline the regulatory framework surrounding the use of animals for experimental purposes.
B. To describe the experimental husbandry and breeding systems for the main laboratory animal species, specifically the mouse, rat, rabbit, and swine. For each species, a review of basic anatomy and physiology will be provided first. This will be followed by detailed information on housing, maintenance, and handling methods for the species in question.
C. To describe methods for assessing animal welfare and recognizing pain in laboratory species.
In addition to lectures, the course includes educational field trips to research facilities and specialized centers focused on laboratory animal breeding.
The aims of the unit of Molecular genetics and applications in animals are:
A. The in-depth theoretical description of molecular genetic methods and techniques used in animal selection, biodiversity evaluation, disease, and other inherited trait causative mutations identification and mapping, genetic diagnostics, as well as in authentication and traceability of animal origin products.
B. The brief description of the theoretical basis of the technological innovations in genomics. In detail, elements of genomics, a description of how genomic databases are structured and how to browse them, how to handle genomic sequences and their use in genomic editing, and high-throughput genotyping of mammals are provided.
C. The description of the principles of genetic standardization and nomenclature of lab animals, particularly mice and rats.
To achieve these aims, in addition to lectures, exercises, and one or more educational visits to research and service facilities in the area are planned.
The objectives of the Laboratory Animal Husbandry unit are:
A. To outline the regulatory framework surrounding the use of animals for experimental purposes.
B. To describe the experimental husbandry and breeding systems for the main laboratory animal species, specifically the mouse, rat, rabbit, and swine. For each species, a review of basic anatomy and physiology will be provided first. This will be followed by detailed information on housing, maintenance, and handling methods for the species in question.
C. To describe methods for assessing animal welfare and recognizing pain in laboratory species.
In addition to lectures, the course includes educational field trips to research facilities and specialized centers focused on laboratory animal breeding.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the Molecular Genetics and Applications in Animals unit attendance, the student is expected to be able to describe the theoretical bases and basic genetic techniques currently used in the breeding of both domestic and laboratory animals for biodiversity measurement, causative mutations mapping, genotyping for diagnosis and authentication/traceability of products of animal origin detection. The student is also expected to be able to describe some basic procedures that allow the identification of SNVs, delins, and CNVs in domestic animals using genome visualization software. It is also expected that the student will be able to approach online bioinformatics databases (NCBI, Ensembl) to identify, from bibliographical references, genetic and sequence variations in diploid and haploid genomes, design PCR primers, RFLP, in silico PCR and check conservation between species and genera of nucleotide regions, read electropherograms of Sanger nucleotide sequences (fluorescence method) to identify heterozygosity and reconstruct haplotypes.
By the end of the Laboratory Animal Husbandry unit, students are expected to be able to outline the regulatory framework governing the use of animals for experimental purposes and find the necessary information within current legislation. They should be able to describe the breeding methods for the laboratory species covered during the course, focusing on their housing systems, nutrition, and management of environmental parameters. Additionally, students are expected to recognize the animal's welfare status based on normal physiology and identify signs of discomfort or stress, with particular attention to the recognition of pain. Students should also be able to adequately describe the procedures that can be performed on the species covered, including methods of administration, sample collection, and euthanasia techniques.
By the end of the Laboratory Animal Husbandry unit, students are expected to be able to outline the regulatory framework governing the use of animals for experimental purposes and find the necessary information within current legislation. They should be able to describe the breeding methods for the laboratory species covered during the course, focusing on their housing systems, nutrition, and management of environmental parameters. Additionally, students are expected to recognize the animal's welfare status based on normal physiology and identify signs of discomfort or stress, with particular attention to the recognition of pain. Students should also be able to adequately describe the procedures that can be performed on the species covered, including methods of administration, sample collection, and euthanasia techniques.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Molecular Genetics and Applications in Domestic Animals unit (Prof. Longeri):
Lectures
- Qualitative and quantitative characters (1hs)
- Genes of veterinary interest. Concepts of mutation and genetic polymorphism (new guidelines and nomenclature). Principles and methods of PCR, allele-specific PCR, PCR / RFLP, and electrophoresis techniques. (4hs)
- Principles and methods of I generation fluorescent automated nucleotide sequencing (Sanger) of different templates: cloned or amplified gDNA, and mtDNA (4 hs)
- Principles and methods of fragment and SNP analysis. DNA molecular markers and their applications: genetic profile, parentage analysis, molecular authentication of animal genus and species, molecular traceability of individuals and animal origin products, genetic diversity analysis. (6hs)
- Association and linkage. Genetic map, Hints on gDNA SNP microarray, gene mapping using different types of DNA markers, concept of haplotype. Domestic animal genomic databases and genome sequences with notes focused on genome editing and high-throughput genotyping. (6hs),
- Basis of genetics Laboratory animals (rodents, Xenopus, zebrafish). Concepts of kinship and consanguinity. Outbred, inbred strains, hybrid lines (2hs)
- Italian national organization of both breeding registries (studbooks, registers, pedigree) and healthcare - National registries (1hs)
Practicals
- Individual practice of in silico analysis on the following topics: design of primers for PCR, in silico PCR, identification of enzymes to set up a restriction, reading, and alignment test of nucleotide sequences, and haplotype identification. Navigation in NCBI and Ensemble genomics databases (8hs)
- Individual practice on Genome Data Viewer and reads analysis for SNVs, delins, and CNVs identification on domestic animal genomes (2hs)
- Interactive seminars (16hs)
- Educational visits to service and research laboratories specialized in animal molecular genetics (6hs)
Teaching Unit on Laboratory Animal Husbandry (Dr. Perricone)
Lectures (16 hs)
- Introduction and General Concepts: The Use of Animals in Research (2 hs)
- Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes - Reference Legislation (2 hs)
- Mouse and Rat (6 hs)
- Rabbit (2 hs)
- Swine (2 hs)
- Management of an Animal Facility (2 hs)
Practicals:
- Visits to industries involved in the laboratory animal housing sector
- Visits to research centers that use laboratory animals
Lectures
- Qualitative and quantitative characters (1hs)
- Genes of veterinary interest. Concepts of mutation and genetic polymorphism (new guidelines and nomenclature). Principles and methods of PCR, allele-specific PCR, PCR / RFLP, and electrophoresis techniques. (4hs)
- Principles and methods of I generation fluorescent automated nucleotide sequencing (Sanger) of different templates: cloned or amplified gDNA, and mtDNA (4 hs)
- Principles and methods of fragment and SNP analysis. DNA molecular markers and their applications: genetic profile, parentage analysis, molecular authentication of animal genus and species, molecular traceability of individuals and animal origin products, genetic diversity analysis. (6hs)
- Association and linkage. Genetic map, Hints on gDNA SNP microarray, gene mapping using different types of DNA markers, concept of haplotype. Domestic animal genomic databases and genome sequences with notes focused on genome editing and high-throughput genotyping. (6hs),
- Basis of genetics Laboratory animals (rodents, Xenopus, zebrafish). Concepts of kinship and consanguinity. Outbred, inbred strains, hybrid lines (2hs)
- Italian national organization of both breeding registries (studbooks, registers, pedigree) and healthcare - National registries (1hs)
Practicals
- Individual practice of in silico analysis on the following topics: design of primers for PCR, in silico PCR, identification of enzymes to set up a restriction, reading, and alignment test of nucleotide sequences, and haplotype identification. Navigation in NCBI and Ensemble genomics databases (8hs)
- Individual practice on Genome Data Viewer and reads analysis for SNVs, delins, and CNVs identification on domestic animal genomes (2hs)
- Interactive seminars (16hs)
- Educational visits to service and research laboratories specialized in animal molecular genetics (6hs)
Teaching Unit on Laboratory Animal Husbandry (Dr. Perricone)
Lectures (16 hs)
- Introduction and General Concepts: The Use of Animals in Research (2 hs)
- Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes - Reference Legislation (2 hs)
- Mouse and Rat (6 hs)
- Rabbit (2 hs)
- Swine (2 hs)
- Management of an Animal Facility (2 hs)
Practicals:
- Visits to industries involved in the laboratory animal housing sector
- Visits to research centers that use laboratory animals
Prerequisites for admission
To take the Molecular Genetics and Applications in Domestic Animals unit exam, having passed the first-year Genetics exam is required.
Teaching methods
Both units:
All lectures will be held with the support of screening slides in Italian. Sometimes links to free websites will be used.
All lectures will be held with the support of screening slides in Italian. Sometimes links to free websites will be used.
Teaching Resources
Both units' slides projected and explained during classes are uploaded before each lesson as PDF files on the UNIMI- MyAriel platform. On the platform is also uploaded any additional material shown during classes or any supplementary material that the teachers mentioned and deem useful for the exam. Slides are very useful for passing the exam.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The molecular Genetics and Applications in Domestic Animals unit exam is an oral test (open questions), meanwhile, the Laboratory Animal Husbandry Unit exam is a written test.
The exam must be taken and passed jointly for all the two unit topics.
Both will aim to:
- ensure that the objectives are achieved;
- assess the ability to apply knowledge and understanding;
- verify the autonomy of judgment of the student;
- ensure mastery of the specific language.
The exam must be taken and passed jointly for all the two unit topics.
Both will aim to:
- ensure that the objectives are achieved;
- assess the ability to apply knowledge and understanding;
- verify the autonomy of judgment of the student;
- ensure mastery of the specific language.
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 5
AGR/20 - AQUACULTURE, POULTRY AND RABBIT SCIENCE - University credits: 3
AGR/20 - AQUACULTURE, POULTRY AND RABBIT SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Practicals: 40 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Single bench laboratory practical: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Longeri Maria Lina Emilia, Perricone Vera
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment to be requested via e-mail
Lodi Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali - floor III, room 3090