Animal Production

Analysis and management of transition processes and resource mobilization to support the development of multifunctional agriculture, rural and inner areas, policies, territorial planning, ecosystem services and the civil economy, also in relation to rural–urban dialogue.

Development of research activities related to the enhancement of the presence of animals and the resources of agri-livestock activities in rural and urban contexts, aimed at producing public goods and innovative services to improve people’s quality of life, strengthen community networks and support the development of innovative policies.

Research activities aimed at understanding, managing, promoting and communicating the quality of products, analysing their impact on commercial strategies and on urban food planning activities, as well as on the enhancement of local supply chains.

Technical, scientific and educational support within projects for agro-livestock development and animal health, carried out in collaboration with countries at different levels of economic and social development.

Development of research activities related to the economic evaluation of health programs and services, as well as the organizational and economic functioning of public and private veterinary activities.

Development of methodologies and tools for the analysis, monitoring and evaluation of the effects of policies in agriculture, rural development, fisheries and the environment, at national, European and international levels.

Analysis, understanding, research, evaluation and support of transition processes in the field of livestock production, enhancement of inner areas, analysis of innovative protein food sources, and quality management of natural resources.

Use of agricultural intercropping for the improvement of the quantitative and qualitative production of forage and grain from grasses, legumes, and other botanical families.

Improvement of ensiling potential for legume and other types of forage.

• Production of forages with nutraceutical properties
• Production of forage from minor species

• Slow-release of fertilizing compounds (e.g., slow-release nitrogen fertilizers)
• Tracking nitrogen in the water-soil-plant system and its use efficiency through stable markers (labeled nitrogen or 15N)
• Use of stable carbon isotopes for the study of water-use efficiency

• Relationship between forage and grain species and plant growth-promoting microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria.
• Cropping systems and soil health, in a one health perspective
• Study of soil health in relation to land use and other geographic properties and agronomic variables
• Role of forage systems on soil health
• Estimation of soil properties and modeling

Study of technical systems for the development of multitrophic chains aimed at reducing environmental impact

Assessment of aquaculture impact using LCA

Study of aquaculture effluent separation systems

Study of potential reuse of aquaculture effluents for the farming of detritivorous/filter-feeding species

Technologies for Precision Farming in Aquaculture

Assessment of the contribution of green solutions (roofs and walls) in reducing energy loads in buildings under Mediterranean climate conditions

Modeling of energy and mass exchanges in complex greenhouse systems with crops: application of simulation software for the internal greenhouse climate based on key functional parameters

Analysis of genetic variability in canine, ovine, donkey, bovine, and poultry breeds using morphological, genealogical, and molecular genomic data

Study of the relationships between genotype, phenotype, and climate in dairy cattle

GWAS analysis for the identification of the genomic bases of morphological and morpho-functional traits in dogs.

GWAS analysis for the identification of genomic regions associated with genetically based diseases in dogs.

Proteomic and genomic studies of donkey milk proteins.

Genomic studies for the identification of the genetic bases of adaptability in livestock species (sheep, goats, and cattle) to climate change.

Investigation of candidate genes involved in canine senescence and the study of relationships between inbreeding and the severity of cognitive decline in dogs and horses.

Research on the use of innovative feeds and by-products in various ruminant and non-ruminant livestock species, with the aim of improving ration quality, welfare, animal and environmental performance on farms, and production quality.

Studies on the antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity of short-chain fatty acids and natural products in poultry production, transfer of bioactive molecules (phytosterols) from feed to products of animal origin.

• Use of quantification systems (GreenFeed, Laser Methane Detector) and predictive models
• Analysis of the presence, metabolism and effects of bisphenols and phthalates, and of microbial transformation processes in the rumen

• Studies on the influence of nutrition and supplements on the health of dogs and cats at different physiological stages
• Studies on innovative products in the pet food sector

Milk quality of livestock species in relation to genotype, physiology and breeding systems.

Characterization of indigenous populations by evaluating their morphological and functional characteristics to identify the possibility of their technical and economic valorization.

Evaluation of some natural substances with antioxidant action to be used in animal feed or directly on meat products, with the aim of verifying the effects that this practice can have on some qualitative characteristics of the meat.

Qualification of the meat product and highlighting of the main factors that influence it,

Studies on wolf predation with particular attention to attack methods, prey choices (domestic/wild) and the different vocalizations of the pack.

Research on welfare and specific suitability based on morphological, behavioral, and aptitudinal characteristics in subjects used in Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAI).

Studies on the evaluation of nutritionally relevant components in mare’s and donkey’s milk, with reference to the use of equine milk in human nutrition and pediatric allergology.

• Studies on the neonatal and perinatal phases in the mare-foal pair aimed at monitoring the proper transfer of immunity in sport-oriented subjects.
• Research on management, behavioral, and physiological aspects aimed at highlighting relationships between the occurrence and frequency of physical and behavioral issues and organic pathologies, with particular focus on the senescence phase in equids.
• Studies on management aspects concerning possible correlations between different management types (box vs. paddock) and specific characteristics of the gut microbiota in horse farms.

• Study of the use of bioactive substances on productive and reproductive performance, product quality, and intestinal welfare.
• Enhancement of livestock biodiversity through the purebred conservation of native poultry populations, characterization of productive, reproductive, and incubation performance, and evaluation—also in crossbreeding—of growth, egg-laying, and product quality traits.

• Study of the effect of nutraceutical substances on the productive performance and meat quality of rabbits, with the aim of improving shelf-life and nutritional value.
• Evaluation of alternative and organic farming techniques: analysis of their impact on animal welfare, oxidative status, productive performance, and the organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of meat.

In line with the principles of the Green Economy and the Blue Transition, research lines in aquaculture focus on innovative raw materials and functional ingredients for the formulation of sustainable diets, the promotion of animal welfare and health, and the development of innovative and sustainable farming methods, such as aquaponic systems and Integrated Multitrophic Systems.

In addition to the species of greatest interest for aquaculture, the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and killifish (Notobranchius furzeri) is also planned as experimental models.

Research on alternative low-environmental-impact species, focusing on farming techniques, performance, and chemical-nutritional characteristics, with the aim of both feed and human food applications.