FilAgro – Innovative and sustainable strategies for the agri-food chain

The FILAGRO project aims to provide solutions to several issues that are emerging in the field of modern agriculture. They concern: production sustainability, biodiversity and environment preservation; improvement in food quality, safety and healthy and nutritional aspects; technology development in favor of industry; new knowledge dissemination. These issues are highlighted as of high importance in the EXPO 2015 and Horizon 2020 programs as well as in the 2013-2015 plan of the Agriculture Directorate of the Lombardy Region.

PRIN IN-FACT (SPOKE 3) - One Health Basic and Translational Actions Addressing Unmet Needs on Emerging Infectious Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases, defined by the WHO as infections caused by newly identified or previously unknown pathogens, represent a growing threat to global public health. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown how vulnerable our societies can be, but also how important tools such as infection control, virus DNA analysis, vaccine and drug development, and understanding of our immune system defenses are. Many of these diseases originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans. For this reason, the One Health approach is essential, recognizing that human health is closely connected to animal and environmental health. Within this context, the INF-ACT research program studies emerging infectious diseases to improve the prevention and response capacity of healthcare systems. The program focuses on emerging viruses, insect-borne diseases, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the study of infection spread, and the development of new therapies.

As part of this project, IBBA-CNR is developing new tools to quickly detect antibiotic-resistant bacteria by analyzing samples from humans, animals, and the environment. The goal is to improve the diagnosis and control of these infections, better understand the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and strengthen surveillance, always following the One Health approach.

PRIN AGRITECH (SPOKE 1) - Plant, animal and microbial genetic resources and adaptation to climatic changes

Plant, animal and microbial genetic resources and adaptation to climatic changes

The resilience of agricultural and forest ecosystems under stressful conditions generated by climate change requires the enhancement and exploitation of genetic resources through state-of-the-art conservation strategies, combined with in-depth genome characterization and high-throughput phenotyping.

Activities include large-scale sequencing of accessions/breeds/strains, extensive marker-based genome descriptions, elucidation of the (pan)genome, deep phenotyping, and multi-omics characterization.

The resulting information, processed through advanced methods for the analysis, interpretation, archiving, and management of complex data, will highlight superior alleles/haplotypes, identify beneficial interactions across a variety of conditions, and define conservation units.

PRIN 2022 EPI-ADAPT - Epigenetic basis of adaptation to climate change: a comparison of indicine and taurine

EPI-ADAPT project investigates how epigenomic signatures change in response to climate challenge (heat stress) in different bovine tissues.

The Project investigates the epigenetic differences between breeds from two cattle subspecies B. taurus and B. indicus in two different seasons: very hot (Challenge-heat stress) and cooler seasons (Recovery- period). The project analyses samples collected from previous experiment in which Angus and Nellore cattle underwent heat stress in Brazi

PRIN 2022 PNRR EPIC FUN - Beef and Dairy Cattle Epigenetic diversity associated to Functional Adaptation

EpiC Fun investigates the role of epigenetic diversity in the adaptation and differentiation of Italian dairy, dual-purpose, and beef cattle breeds, providing new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms shaping functional and productive traits while enhancing the value of national livestock biodiversity.

The project focuses on DNA methylation, analysed in somatic (blood) and germ (sperm) cells, to assess epigenetic variability within and between 10 Italian cattle breeds, and its relationship with genetic variation and key phenotypic and morphological traits.

Using advanced genomic approaches, EpiC Fun distinguishes true methylation changes from genetic variation, generating a high-resolution epigenetic map of the different breeds. The results will help identify potentially heritable epigenetic signals and clarify the combined role of genetic and epigenetic variation in adaptation, selection, and production orientation.

Overall, EpiC Fun promotes an innovative view of cattle breeding, where the integration of genome, epigenome, and phenotype supports improved production efficiency, meat and milk quality, and the sustainability of livestock systems.

Co.Science – Meet Research to Connect Science and Society

Co.Science is a European public engagement project aimed at strengthening the dialogue between scientific research and society, reducing the gap between researchers and citizens. The project promotes a collaborative, inclusive and accessible science through public events, hands-on laboratories, school activities and training programmes on science communication. Within the framework of the European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools initiatives, Co.Science brings research outside laboratories, fostering a two-way dialogue with the public.

CNR-IBBA contributes by disseminating research on sustainable livestock systems, biodiversity and the One Health approach, engaging students across different age groups.

The project supports European scientific culture and highlights research as a common good serving society.

sPATIALS3 - Improvement of agrifood productions and innovative technologies for a safer and more secure and sustainable nutrition

sPATIALS3 is a technological and research hub involving 12 CNR Institutes belonging to 4 different Departments and 4 companies. Main objectives will be: obtainment of innovative food products improved for their nutritional and functional properties; provision and implementation of precision technologies to guarantee products quality, safety and traceability; development of innovative and eco-sustainable smart– and active-packaging to minimize and reuse wastes, where possible, and to increase food preservability; provision to consumers and producers of tools for results exploitation.

NUTRAGE - Nutrition, Diet & Active Aging

With a multidisciplinary approach, Nutrage aims to promote solutions and strategies for active and healthy aging, which have significant implications for the future, well-being, and social cohesion of the country. Evidence suggests that nutrition plays a key role in promoting the prevention and delaying the onset of major aging-related diseases. Therefore, the project intends to develop new foods with high nutritional value, new dietary regimens, and specific personalized nutrition programs, and to promote new pathways to support the health, well-being, and safety of the most vulnerable populations. The specific objectives of the project are:

• Development of agri-food (bio)technologies
• Development of new foods with high health value
• Green technologies for the extraction and stabilization of biocompounds
• Identification of early biomarkers
• Innovative strategy for active and healthy aging
• Integrated analysis of the physiopathological bases of aging
• Food culture and education