| Project Detail |
Understanding why some broiler chickens develop myopathies
Broiler chickens are reared for meat. Most reach slaughter weight in four and seven weeks. However, a group of myopathies – wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS) and spaghetti meat (SM) – has emerged and is spoiling the quality of the meat. With the support of Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the DEMyo project will explore if it is possible to detect myopathies in birds at an early age. It will also investigate any early signs between animals that show myopathies at slaughter. It will also study whether there are differences between animals that develop myopathies and those that do not.
To meet increasing demands for high-value proteins, broiler selection programs driven by growth rate led to the development of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), and novel emerging and unexplored myopathies such as spaghetti meat (SM). In light of the current situation DEMyo project will address important questions in todays myopathies research: is it possible to detect myopathies in birds early age? Are there early differences between animals that will show myopathies at slaughter and the others or not? What’s the difference among animals developing WS, WB and SM? The novelty of the present proposal lies in the innovative application of advanced methodologies based on omics platforms to understand the molecular mechanism involved in the development of broiler myopathies in both sexes. The added value of the project is in assessing if nutritional manipulation with Na-butyrate might be used as a feeding strategy to decreases the occurrence of SM. The project will be developed for 2 years by means of 6 WPs. Candidates diverse scientific background in food science and veterinary medicine and advanced training from BCA and DAFNAE departments (UNIPD) reinforced with secondments at the University of Bologna, Vrije and Michigan under supervision of the leading experts in the field will maximize the success of the research project and the candidate’s career goals. Communication, dissemination and results exploitation will be addressed to multiple stakeholders by different tools at national, EU and international levels. Results from this multidisciplinary project will have a scientific impact with novel information about myopathies to be adopted in the practice while meeting SDG 1, 3, 5, and 12, improving animal welfare, meat quality, and mitigating economic losses. MSCA project will be a career breakthrough, help the candidate established a position in the field, empower her role as a female scientist and provide her with skills and opportunities for further grants. |
