Giorgio Chessari

Ciclo: XXXVII

Data inizio: 31/10/2021

Curriculum: Agroalimentari

Borsa: : UniCT

Titolo tesi: Application of genomics to investigate the genetic diversity in Sicilian livestock species

Abstract: The advancement of genomic techniques and the development of innovative approaches have significantly transformed the study of livestock species, enabling deeper insights into genetic diversity and population structure. Genomics has emerged as a pivotal field that combines advanced molecular techniques with complex data analysis, offering powerful tools for biodiversity conservation and management. Over recent decades, the field has evolved from the use of microsatellites (STRs) to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), enhancing our ability to characterize the genetic diversity of domestic animal populations. Local breeds represent valuable genetic resources due to their unique traits and adaptation to specific environments. Understanding their genetic pattern is crucial for the conservation of their distinct identities and for supporting biodiversity enhancement programs. This thesis is structured into three main parts. The first chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the livestock panorama and the importance of local breeds, highlighting the applications of genomic tools such as SNP arrays, ddRAD (double-digest restriction associated DNA), and imputation in the assessment of genetic diversity indices, population structure, and the detection of genomic regions potentially under selection. The second chapter provides in-depth analyses of the biodiversity of local breeds, including a genome-wide study of the Nero Siciliano pig using a medium-density SNP array, an examination of the genetic divergence of the Noticiana sheep breed in the Mediterranean context using a high-density SNP array, and the first characterization of the genomic structure of Italian donkey populations through ddRAD data. The third chapter introduces novel insights into biodiversity studies, focusing on the characterization of heterozygosity-rich regions (HRR) in the goat species and a comparison of SNP arrays and imputed data in estimating the population structure of horse breeds. Overall, this work underscores the importance of integrated genomic approaches in enhancing our understanding of local breeds' genetic diversity. The findings contribute valuable knowledge that supports conservation strategies and sustainable management practices, ensuring the preservation of these genetic resources for future generations. The final discussion addresses the broader implications of these findings and outlines future perspectives for advancing biodiversity studies in livestock genomics.

Tutor: Marletta

Data Conseguimento Titolo: ~20/01/2025

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/giorgio-chessari

Email: giorgio.chessari@unict.it

Periodi all'estero- Sede e data:University of Göttingen - Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Division of Functional Breeding. Tutor: Prof. Dr. Tetens. From 14/01/2023 to 15/07/2024 under a cotutelle agreement.

Esperienze post-Dottorato ed attuale occupazione: PostDoc Fellow (1 year) at University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (AGRI-09/A).