The Scientific Association of Animal Production congratulates the member Vincenzo Russo, Past President of ASPA and Full Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture (Bologna, Italy), who has been re-appointed chairman of the Central Technical Committee of the Italian Hardbook of Pig Species for the triennium 2005-2007.
The Scientific Association of Animal Production congratulates:
- the members Adalberto Falaschini, Full professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bologna (Italy) and Domenico Bergero, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Torino (Italy), who were appointed Board Members of the SIDI (Italian Association of Equine Practitioners) in the course of its annual Meeting, held on June 22, 2005, at Lodi (Italy). The other members of the renewed Board are Prof. Daniele Codazza, Dr. Alessandro Centinaio, Dr. Francesco Ferrucci, Dr. Luigi Fusetti and Dr. Micaela Sgorbini. ASPA hopes that the contribution of its members Falaschini and Bergero will lead to a broader and fruitful collaboration with scientific and practitioner world interested to horses.
- the following new ASPA members, accepted by the Plenary Meeting of the Association on June 29, 2005 (Torino, Italy).
Cavallarin, L. (CNR, Torino); Di Mauro, C. (Univ. Sassari);
Foti, F. (Univ. Reggio Calabria); Marongiu, M.L. (Univ. Sassari);
Meineri, G. (Univ. Torino); Schiavone, A. (Univ. Torino);
Segato, S. (Univ. Padova); Serra, A. (Univ. Pisa);
Tagliapietra, F. (Univ. Padova); Tarantola, M. (Univ. Torino).
- the member Donato Matassino, Past President of ASPA and Full Professor at the University of Sannio, Benevento (Italy), for the successful Seminar descripted below.
Proteomic and Genomic Techniques in the process of Conservation
of Native Animal Genetic Resources
A Seminar in Turkey
Prof. Donato Matassino participated, in June 15 to 16, 2005, on invitation of Trakya University, Agricultural Faculty of Tekirdagˇ, Animal Science Department, Genetics and Biometrics Sector, in the Seminar entitled Proteomic and genomic techniques in the process of conservation of native animal genetic resources, held in the Magna Room of Agricultural Faculty of Tekirdag.
The Seminar is inserted perfectly in the activity of ConSDABI (Consortium for Experimentation, Dissemination and Application of Innovative Biotechniques) as National Focal Point of FAO and so in the context of knowledge exchanges between scientists and searchers, with particular reference to molecular genetics in relation to the safeguard of biodiversity.
The Seminar started with the welcome speech of Prof. Dr. Birol Kayisoglu, dean of Agricultural Faculty of Tekirdagˇ, who thanked prof. Matassino for his acceptance and attended the all Seminar.
The audience was composed by teachers from different Universities of Turkey (Yuzuncu Yil Ziraat University, Ankara University, Selçu University, Marmara Hayvancilik Aras¸tima Institut, Mudurnu Tavukculuk A. S¸ Institut, Tekirdag University), 40 students and 20 new graduated.
Faculty of Tekirdag, opened the Seminar with his speech on The molecular genetics in the Animal Science in Turkey; he presented prof. Donato Matassino, National Coordinator of FAO for the Global Programme for the management of Animal Genetic Resources, President of the ConSDABI - Centre of Genomics and Proteomics for the Quality and Food Excellence, pointing out his important scientific value at international level and emphasizing that all presents had received a brochure containing prof. Matassino's curriculum vitae as well as his presentation.
Prof. Matassino pointed out that the classic approach to the study of biologic phenomena was always that to study and to deal the issues in independent way: study of the single DNA sequence or of the single protein; really polypeptide/s coding DNA segments (genes) or non-polypeptide/s coding DNA segments and proteins must be studied as irreplaceable components of a very information system; the integrated approach genomics - proteomics represents a correct instrument for the typification of the biodiversity, allowing the identification and the characterization of molecular biomarkers of genetic uniqueness (at level of single individual) and of specificness (at level of product); these biomarkers are fundamental for the knowledge of the diversified effects that can interest the nutritional and extranutritional quality of a food, as well as the level of food security of it self.
In this contest, in his speech prof.Matassino dealt, in systemic key, with issues concerning genomics {[identification and characterization of the genome (the totality of genetic information of an individual)], under the structural aspect [definition of the structure and sequence and localization of DNA segments (coding polypeptide/s and/or non polypeptide/s) on the chromosomes (gene and chromosomal maps)] and functional aspect [individuation and definition of the probable function of polypeptide/s coding DNA segments (genes) or non-polypeptide/s coding DNA segments by the characterization of their transcripts (transcriptome)]} giving, in a few words, also, a short essay about the recent acquisitions on huma n genome that could be considered, nearly certainly, a model extensible to the animal of zootechnical interest, with particular regard to those which occupy a higher position in the taxonomical scale; this acquisitions, today, interest: (a) distribution [exons (1.3 %); intrones (22 %); pseudogenes (1.1 %); mini and microsatellites (3 %); transposones DNA (2.9 % ); retro-transposones (44.1 %); segmental duplications (5.3 %) and DNA of uncertain nature (20.3 %)]; (b) same regulation mechanisms [epigenetics; genome censure; alternative splicing and/or alternative editing of the primary or premature transcript (pre -mRNA) with exonization of the intron mediated by the Alu elements; the later elements could be considered, probably, responsible for the protein assortment in the man, particularly at encephalic level and so they could be considered elements discriminating between man and monkey].
Furthermore, prof. Matassino dealt the issues concerning proteomics [identification and characterization of the proteome (totality of the proteins, as well as of their isoformes and fragments present in an organism in any moment of its life cycle)], under structural aspect (definition of the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure; localization and individuation of the post-translational modifications) and functional aspect (definition of: biological function of proteins whose role unknown; activity carried out by a protein in physiological and physiopathological processes; rule of a particular protein in the cell communication and formation of multiprotein complex), confirming the necessity and the importance of an integration between genomics and proteomics; both genomics and proteomics can be considered, probably, the pillars of the future strategies of the genetic improvement.
The member Andrea Martini, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Firenze (Italy), inform that the 4th SAFO Workshop concerning "Quality and Safety of Organic Livestock Products" was held in Frick, at FiBL, Frick, Switzerland, the last 17-19 March 2005.
Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety in Organic Farming (SAFO) is a Concerted Action Project founded by European Commission (QRLT - 2001 - 02541); the aim is to improve food safety and animal health in organic livestock production systems in existing and candidate member countries of the European Union. Information about the project and electronic version of the Proceedings are available at the SAFO web-site: http://www.safonetwork.org.
The member Giuseppe Bertoni, Full Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, Catholic University of Piacenza (Italy), inform us, by means of the following short report, of the successful Meeting "Research in agriculture: update and perspectives", organized by the Faculty of Agriculture in Perugia, Italy, the last 14-15 April 2005.
Research in agriculture: update and perspectives,
by Giuseppe Bertoni
The Italian system of research in agriculture is characterized by a too large number of Universities and resaerch centres, which are consequently too small to reach a critical mass in terms of scientific staff, organization, interdisciplinarity etc. This, and other topics needing debate have urged the organization of a meeting, held at Peurgia University, to assess the present status of reasearch in agriculture in Italy and to discuss future perspectives. The general topic was splitted in 3 main subtopics: research in plant and animal production, research in food technology and research in environment and land. Representatives from the research community (University staff) and from the stakeholders (farmers, food companies, ecological groups ect.) participated to the debate of each subtopics. Some interesting facts arose from the discussion: -farms, food companies and public authorities, appear to have only occational interaction with the research institutions; -scientific information, addressed to citizens and farmers, seems quite often inadequate. These problems, togheter the structural ones previously described, contribute to explain on the one side the difficulty faced by research in identifying the most urgent topics to be investigated in research projects, and on the other the skepticism with which costumers often cosider innovation. In addition it seems that Italian research in agriculture suffers from its little ability in participating to large international projects as those funded by the European Community. Nevertheless, it was also confermed that our research, despite being very heterogeneous, is at a rather good level, but needs improvement: -the scaling up of the actual research instituions, or their better organization in a tight network system, to increase the efficiency of investments, but also to collect and collate the required scientific expertise, reaching a proper level of interdisciplinarity; -an increased interaction with the stakeholder (farmers, industries, trade companies, customers) to build technological platforms and to carry out the kind of research needed to innovate the agriculture production system; -the dissemination of the research findings to make them acceptable to people, to facilitate political choices as well as practical applications along the production chain. It is noteworthy the fact that the 7th EU Framework has similar objectives to facilitate a better integration betwen Europan public research, industries and all other actors involved or interested in the farm to fork food chain.
The Scientific Association of Animal Production congratulates its member Rosanna Scipioni, Full Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Modena - Reggio Emilia (Italy), who has been elected Vice-President of the Standing Conference of the Deans of the Agriculture Faculties in Italy.
The member Andrea Martini, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Firenze (Italy), inform that the third SAFO Workshop concerning "Enhancing Animal Health Security and Food Safety in Organic Livestock Production Systems" was held in Falenty, Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming (IMUZ), Warsaw, Poland, the last 16-18 September 2004.
Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety in Organic Farming (SAFO) is a Concerted Action Project founded by European Commission (QRLT - 2001 - 02541); the aim is to improve food safety and animal health in organic livestock production systems in existing and candidate member countries of the European Union. Information about the project and electronic version of the Proceedings are available at the SAFO web-site http://www.safonetwork.org.
the Italian Journal of Animal Science [eISSN 1828-051X] is the official journal of the Animal Science and Production Association and it is published by PAGEPress®, Pavia, Italy. Reg. Pavia, n. 2/2010-INF. All credits and honors to PKP for their OJS.