Department of Excellence OSCAR Open Science in Co-Creative Animal Research The Department has been recognised as a Department of Excellence by the MUR for the five years 2023-2027 Oscar The OSCAR Excellence Project is a departmental development project -that specifies the research areas of the DSV and organizes the departmental strategic plan. Aims Strengthen the research structure by recruiting personnel and investing in technologically advanced equipment and instrumentation; Introduce new research methods through Open Science actions and responsible research, through the organisation of Co-Creation Labs: places of collective knowledge construction among researchers, stakeholders and society, to share research questions and actions of collective interest and give more targeted answers to the research needs present in society; Improve the work organisation of the DSV and the operation of laboratories and internal processes (CAVE); Enhance vocations, specificities, presences, multidisciplinary attitudes, and skills. In order to achieve the stated goals, the OSCAR Project envisions a new departmental organisational structure based on the organisation of Co-Creation Labs, places for DSV researchers and DSV stakeholders to meet with each other with respect to the topics in which DSV research is organised: Animals: care and understanding; Animals and people: interfaces in public health and relationships; Animals and the environment: to the positive or problematic impacts of farming activities on the environment and vice versa. The Project of Excellence is coordinated by a Project of Excellence Coordinating Group (GCPE) and supported by an Advisory Board (AB) composed of qualified individuals representing the veterinary sciences, selected through a public call for proposals. CAVE (Veterinary Analytical Centre of Excellence) intends to develop a departmental centre with autonomy in the management of DSV laboratory activities. CCLs, places for discussion and development of research and higher education in the field of veterinary sciences. Co-Creation Lab CCL 1. Animals: CCL1 a. Animal knowledge: studies the structure and function of animal organisms – from the cellular to the population level, under normal and pathological conditions – of disease-causative agents, and of the action of bioactive substances. b. Animal care: focuses on early diagnosis and targeted treatment of diseases in pets, livestock, and wild animals, including the development of innovative diagnostic and teaching methods. 2. Animal-Human Interactions: CCL2 a. Attention to relationships: explores the behaviours, methods, and outcomes of interactions and relationships for pets, livestock, and wild animals (welfare, ethology, control) and for people (AIA and social agriculture). b. Beware of products of animal origin: as a source of nutrition for society (ethics of consumption, markets, quality, food inspection, novel foods) or as a potential vehicle for pathologies (infectious and parasitic zoonoses, foodborne diseases). 3. Animal-Environment Interactions: CCL3 a. Impacts and sustainability of agricultural and livestock production: positive externalities (soil, organic matter, biodiversity, land and landscape management) and negative externalities (production of pollutants, consumption of non-renewable resources) on environmental resources and socioeconomic impacts. b. Impact of the environment and climate on animals: research on the impact of climate change and pollutants on animals (genetic adaptations and well-being), production and people. Veterinary Analytical Center of ExcellenceCAVE From the point of view of laboratory facilities for research, the OSCAR Project envisions the establishment of a Veterinary Analytical Centre for Excellence (CAVE) with the task of organizing the infrastructure of the DSV; making and managing investments for research development of laboratories; and continuing the introduction of quality processes (ISO standards), open to the territory and external users, to develop research and collaboration within the DSV and with external stakeholders. CAVE has been equipped with investments in analytical research equipment including: ICP-MS Agilent 7850 Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It analyses most chemical elements at trace levels in aqueous solutions or solid matrix extracts. The technique is suitable for the chemical characterisation of various materials in the agri-food, environmental, biological, geochemical, and materials science fields. LC-MS QTOF Agilent 6546 Liquid chromatography system interfaced with a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The QTOF system is designed to make MS analyses faster, simpler, and more productive, whether for pharmaceutical research, food safety analysis, forensics/toxicology, environmental analysis, metabolomics, or lipidomics. Nikon Spatial Array Confocal Detector The new Nikon Spatial Array Confocal (NSPARC) detector uses an array of ultra-low-noise detectors to collect a two-dimensional image at each scanned point. This scanning image microscopy method improves signal-to-noise ratio by increasing the available signal level, while simultaneously enabling imaging with lower excitation power. Single-photon sensitivity and array detection extend the capabilities of the AX system, revealing invisible details in every image; array detection pushes resolution limits beyond theoretical limits. Illumina MiSeq Platform Next Generation Sequencing technology on the MiSeq platform (Illumina) in combination with the Agilent TapeStation 2200 system (Agilent). The use of NGS technology enables the sequencing of complex genomes or target regions on large numbers of samples, producing data useful for various scientific fields (biology, epidemiology, infectious disease, entomology, etc.) and promoting an integrated One Health approach. It is a strategic tool for addressing challenges related to the spread of pathogens and, in the food sector, supports authentication and fraud prevention, protecting public health.