Projekte

Project supported by the Faculty Clinical Research Platform (FCRP), University of Bern

Bovine hoof diseases negatively affect the health, welfare and production of cattle, resulting in significant economic losses. The aim of this project is to identify the origin of the genetic variation for different hoof diseases in Swiss dairy cattle. The project will be carried out in 3 different work packages:

  1. WP1 will consist of phenotype and case definition. The WP1 will be led by the Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern and in collaboration with Gesunde Klauen Project.
  2. WP2 will consist of association studies using routine SNP genotyping data. In addition, whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be performed in a selected number of animals to visualize genomic regions containing potential candidate variants. WP2 will be led by the Livestock Genetics Team, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern in collaboration with the Association of Swiss Cattle Breeders (ASR) and Qualitas AG.
  3. WP3 will consist of communicating the results to the scientific community in the form of publications and presentations at conferences and to stakeholders in the form of articles in agricultural journals and workshops. Incorporating the associated markers identified in this study into national genetic evaluations could lead to higher rates of genetic improvement in the Swiss dairy cattle population, thereby reducing involuntary losses due to lameness on farms.

Publikationen

Publication Year Type

CV

  • 2018: DVM at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusofona University, PT
  • 2018-2022: PhD at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna, IT
    • Thesis topic: New perspectives of genetic disorders in cattle
  • 2020-2023: ECBHM Residency at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna, IT
    • Research topic: Surveillance of genetic disorders in cattle
  • 2023: Diplomate des European College of Bovine Health Management (ECBHM)
  • Since 2024: Scientist at the Clinic for Ruminants and the Institute of Genetics at the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Bern
    • Research topic: Hoof health improvement through genomics
  • Winner of the 2024 World Association for Buiatrics President’s Award at the 2024 World Buiatrics Congress in Cancun, Mexico