Functional Breeding

In the Functional Breeding department, we work on genetics and the breeding improvement of functional traits, with a focus on health, behavior, and efficiency traits. The expression of all these traits is determined by a complex interplay of genetics and environment. At the same time, there are diverse interrelationships between traits, with the connection between performance and functional traits being of particular importance. We map the traits and their relationships with each other at all levels of the metabolome, proteome, transcriptome, and genome. We methodically combine these techniques with approaches from quantitative genetics and animal breeding. The results are validated, wherever possible, in functional studies. For this purpose, we use, among other things, cell models in our Working Group Experimental and computational biology. We want to understand how exactly the expression of these traits is determined. The insights gained will, in turn, form the basis for improving these trait complexes through breeding.

The approach described above requires a broad methodological breadth within the department. The focus is on the investigation of the genome at all scales. In addition to omics technologies and the associated bioinformatics approaches, the molecular analysis of individual genes and variants plays a significant role. In addition to data-driven projects, many of our studies are also based on direct animal testing. We cover a wide range of species. In addition to poultry, cattle, and horses, we also focus on fish. Therefore Working Group Aquaculture as an infrastructural facility of our department. We also conduct research on insects. For this purpose, the Working Group Animal Hygiene of the department is responsible.