Advanced Genetic Improvement

The program is developed in two units. The first provides the basics of quantitative genetics and selection through the genomic approach that has revolutionized the selection process and is changing the management approach of animals in livestock production. In the second unit, the part relating to the estimation of the genetic / genomic value of animals is developed with specific references to genomic selection in populations.

'H53-49-A' - 'Teaching unit: Quantitative genetics and selection'.
OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIT:
The unit aims to provide the knowledge for the interpretation of the relationship between phenotype and genotype, central to quantitative genetics and the selection of breeding stock. The genomic information available today is a basic component of modern quantitative genetics.

ARTICULATION OF THE MODULE:
Frontal teaching
1) Sequencing and genotyping;
2) Genotyping chips for SNP markers;
3) Genetic markers and their use in the genomic management of populations;
4) Genomic and phenotypic variability in livestock production populations;
5) Genetic structures of populations: F1, F2, Backcross, Outbreeding populations, commercial hybrids;
6) Quantitative Trait Loci and markers - linkage;
7) Genomic kinship and genomic inbreeding;
8) The infinitesimal genetic model in a genomic context;
9) Concept of Breeding Value and its estimate starting from one or more sources of information;
10) Accuracy of reproductive value and SEP. Genetic basis;
11) Correlation between characters and correlated response;
12) Complex economic indices;
13) The population selection schemes;
14) Response to the selection;
15) Management of genomic variability;

Exercises
The exercises will be developed in the computer classroom on specific software for the selection of reproducers and for the management of genomic data. Students must use the R environment "The R software for statistical computing" (https://www.r-project.org/) (https://www.rstudio.com/).

'H53-49-B' - 'Teaching unit: Mixed model and genomic selection'

OBJECTIVES OF THE MODULE:
The module aims to provide the basics of genomic evaluation in livestock production species and its application in breeding programs.

ARTICULATION OF THE MODULE:
Frontal teaching
1. The contribution of information to reproductive value
2) The genetic evaluation model
3) Systems of equations in matrix algebra (OLS / GLS)
3) The mixed model and EVB estimation with relation to the genetic model
4) Genetic variance and environmental variance;
5) The sire model
6) Genomic Selection: tools, populations, prediction equations;
7) The estimation of the gene substitution effect in the one-locus model;
8) The estimation of the prediction equations from the "training population";
9) Application of prediction equations in the "application population"
10) Genomic Reproductive Value (GEBV);

Exercises
The exercises will be developed in the classroom on Microsoft Excel and specific software for the selection of reproducers and for the management of genomic data. Students must use the R environment "The R software for statistical computing" (https://www.r-project.org/) (https://www.rstudio.com/).