Integrated functional genomic analysis identifies regulatory variants underlying a major QTL for disease resistance in European sea bass.

Background: Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an important viral disease threatening global aquaculture sustainability and affecting over 50 farmed and ecologically important fish species. A major QTL for resistance to VNN has been previously detected in European sea bass, but the underlying causal gene(s) and mutation(s) remain unknown. To identify the mechanisms and genetic factors underpinning resistance to VNN in European sea bass, we employed integrative analyses of multiple functional genomics assays in European sea bass.

β-casein A2 affects milk renneting properties, cheese yield before and after ripening, and alters the texture of Caciotta cheese produced in field conditions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of β-CN genetic variants on milk coagulation properties, curd and cheese yield, efficiency of cheesemaking, and quality of Caciotta cheese after 15 d of ripening. Thirty-three cheesemaking experiments were carried out in one on-farm pilot-scale dairy plant. For each cheesemaking day, small groups of cows were selected and milked separately to obtain 2 milk pools, one with high proportion of β-CN A1 and B in β-CN (A1B milk) and one with high proportion of β-CN A2 (A2 milk) in β-CN, respectively.

Sharing Data and Transferring Samples Within Pediatric Clinical Studies: How to Overcome Challenges and Make Them a Science Opportunity.

EPIICAL (Early treated Perinatally HIV-Infected individuals: Improving Children's Actual Life) is a consortium of European and non-European research-driven organizations inter-connected with the aim of establishing a clinical and experimental platform for the early identification of novel therapeutic strategies for the pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Within the EPIICAL project, several pediatric clinical studies were conducted, requiring the collection and transfer of biological samples and associated data across boundaries within and outside Europe. To ensure compliance with the applicable rules on pediatric data and sample transfer and to support the efforts of academic partners, which may not always have the necessary expertise and resources in place for designing, managing and conducting multi-national studies, the consortium established a dedicated expert Working Group.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Weight Loss at the End of Dry-Curing of Hams Produced from Purebred Heavy Pigs.

Dissecting the genetics of production traits in livestock is of outmost importance, both to understand biological mechanisms underlying those traits and to facilitate the design of selection programs incorporating that information. For the pig industry, traits related to curing are key for protected designation of origin productions. In particular, appropriate ham weight loss after dry-curing ensures high quality of the final product and avoids economic losses.