Impact

The GEroNIMO project will contribute to developing sustainable and welfare-friendly animal systems by knowledge improvement of (epi)genome-to-phenome relationships, accounting for genetic and non-genetic mechanisms and epigenetic diversity.

Expected impacts for breeding companies and farmers are:

Biology-driven selection methods for livestock with more balanced performances for production, robustness and/or quality, taking into account environmental variability

  • Statistical models and phenotypic- and intermediate- record combinations from dedicated large groups of animals raised under various environments, leading to more balanced selection

Set of phenotypes and molecular tools to assess and drive animal traits related to efficiency for a long-time evaluation of breeding strategies

  • NIRS measures calibrated at the European scale to estimate the lipid content in meat

  • A non-species specific innovative, genome-wide and cost-effective tool to perform parallel genotyping and epigenotyping on large numbers of individuals

  • Identifying cost effective biomarkers for routine use in early-prediction of male reproductive quality in pig and detrimental behaviour in chicken

Conservation options for genetic diversity among and within breeds

  • Identify the best strategies to maximize and manage diversity in genomic evaluation selection schemes

  • Strategies to eliminate unfavourable alleles while maintaining genetic diversity

Contribution to the diversity and sustainability of livestock production

  • Levers for improved animal welfare and sustainability to reduce resource usage and contribute to more efficient livestock production

  • Evaluation of the feasibility and social acceptability of new genome enabled breeding techniques

  • Recommendations to decision-makers at the European scale

Expected Environmental and Social Impacts

  • Reduced environmental impact of monogastric production systems by providing by tools and knowledge to enhanced productivity and improved feed efficiency

  • New solutions to reduce welfare and health problems occurring in intensive poultry production

  • Preservation of traditional sustainable production systems and related local economies by providing phenotyping and (epi)genomics strategies for local breeds

If you have any questions about how the projects creates impact, don’t hesitate to contact us!