From cell to farm: methods and technologies applied to animal nutrition and food quality

The aim of the course of From cell to farm: models, methods and technologies applied to animal nutrition and food quality is to provide students with the methodological principles related to nutritional studies, with insights into the molecular field. This course provides the skills needed to develop and evaluate a diet for laboratory animals with focus on its impact at genic and metabolic level. The course will also deal with the theoretical basis of oxidative damage and its relationship with farming systems. The biomarkers that best classify the oxidative status in vivo and their significance in the assessment of animal health and welfare will be also considered. Analytical methodologies aimed at defining biomarkers for the authenticity of animal products, through the identification of the origin and the breeding system, as well as their nutritional value for the consumer, are argued.

Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student must be able to know and understand the main models and methodologies applied to studies in nutritional science with particular reference to the nutritional and functional evaluation of the diet, including aspects related to food safety. The student must also demonstrate knowledge and understanding relating to the theoretical basis of oxidative stress and its relationships with the health and well-being of farmed animals.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate knowledge and concepts useful for the application of methods and models aimed at the nutritional and functional evaluation of the diet as well as the evaluation of the origin and traceability of animal production.
Making judgement: The student must demonstrate the ability to critically argue the information acquired. In this sense, educational trips, seminars and group work are aimed in this direction.
Communication: the student must demonstrate the ability to express with scientifically appropriate terminology, in particular with regard to the terminology referred to the application of models, methodologies and biomarkers in animal nutrition as well as to the quality of products.
Lifelong learning skills: the student will have to demonstrate knowledge in terms of methodologies and related applications and the reasoning skills acquired during the course will allow the student to continue the study independently by deepening and updating the own knowledge in the field of animal nutrition and the quality and traceability of products of origin.