A multidisciplinary collaboration on nutrigenetics and genomics applied to beef cattle production

• Grant number: 24/19164-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana
• Grantee: Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana
• Principal researcher abroad: LUIZ FERNANDO BRITO
• Institution abroad: Purdue University, United States
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/16258-9 - Performance of Bos indicus steers in rearing and their holistic effects on finishing: a nutrigenomics perspective, AP.R

Abstract

Brazil and the United States are the two main beef cattle producers in the world. Therefore, collaborative research can be of mutual benefit to researchers and institutions in both countries. In this context, our SPRINT proposal aims to develop and consolidate a multidisciplinary research group in nutritional genomics applied to beef cattle production. Together, we develop a working group to investigate and exchange experiences in rearing performance, fetal programming, phenomics, and nutrigenetics. The academic exchanges between the team in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University (PU; West Lafayette, IN, USA) and the School of Animal Science and Food Engineering at the University of Sao Paulo (FZEA/USP; Pirassununga, SP, Brazil) groups will provide a great opportunity to enhance the results from current projects and develop the foundation to expand on novel and transformative research for future activities in both institutions. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team with expertise and access to complementary resources needed for the development of a strong and productive working group. The Project led by Dr. Santana (Process Number: 2023/16258-9-2) and financed by FAPESP is evaluating the nutrigenomics of rearing performance in Bos indicus cattle, especially feed efficiency, reproduction, meat quality and omics sciences. On the other side, Dr. Brito has secured funding through two AFRI-USDA projects, which are also generating high throughput phenotypic and genomic datasets for various traits related to livestock feed efficiency. The datasets from both groups will be integrated to optimize the ongoing research and develop joint proposals to be submitted to American and Brazilian funding agencies. The main activities proposed are two scientific exchanges per year, which will include various training activities, the development of collaborative research projects and a symposium focused on nutritional genomics in livestock. These activities will provide training opportunities for graduate students and researchers in both institutions on the integration of beef cattle nutrition and genomics. Thus, the expected deliverables of this proposal will be the development of an international collaboration focused on (but not limited to) research and academic training related to nutrigenetics applied to beef cattle. Our academic exchanges are expected to lay the foundation for future grant proposal applications (like FAPESP Young Investigator phase 2), academic exchanges of students and faculty, and joint publications of great relevance to the scientific community. (AU)