Laboratory of Animal Breeding & Husbandry

Research Topics

The research activities of the Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Husbandry involve the following thematic units:

  • Livestock farming (Configuration of productive systems and handling of farm animals with emphasis in the management, the ethology and welfare of the raised animal species for production).

  • Genetic breeding of farm animals. (Planning of programs of genetic breeding and estimation of genetic parameters in populations of farm animals).

  • Physiology of Productive traits of the farm animals. (Adipose tissue, enzyme activities, carcass traits of farm animals).

  • Quality of animal products (mainly study of the parameters related to the quality of meat and eggs, while strong emphasis is given to the quality of milk and other animal products).

  • Population, biochemical and molecular genetics of farm animals (isolation and characterization of genes, detection of DNA polymorphisms).

Research Projects

Research programs with the participation of the members of the Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Husbandry:

  • Genome scanning and identification of genes controlling (re)production traits in broilers’ (2016-2020), Aviagen Ltd.

  • Innovation for Sustainable Sheep and Goat Production in Europe (iSAGE)’ (2017-2020), Horizon 2020 – Research and Innovation Framework Program.

  • SMAll RuminanTs breeding for Efficiency and Resilience (SMARTER) (2018-2022), Horizon 2020 – Research and Innovation Framework Program.

  • Genome Wide Association Scanning and Gene Network Analysis of Body Weight in broilers’ Grant: MIS 5005869. Union (European Social Fund – ESF) through the Operational Program Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014-2020.

  • Development of new technologies for the management of extensively ruminants’ farming, Regional government of Hepirus, 2019-2021.

  • Different forces behind the development of genomic diversity in indigenous cattle strains and breeds in Greece and Germany, DAAD.

  • Climate Change in Agriculture (CLICHA), Erasmus + KA2 Action, European Union.

  • Training program for young poultry farmers, beginners and unemployed: Broiler Farming in the framework of «New Agriculture for a New Generation – Recharging Youth to revitalize the Agriculture and Food Sector of the Greek Economy» SNF – Rutgers University (USA).

  • Use of microalgae in the production of novel yoghurt-type products. RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE 2nd Round.

  • Acid whey from yogurt: Turning an environmental burden into innovative added value end products. RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE 2nd Round.

  • Scientific support on milk quality issues. Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Naxos

  • Study of proteolytic processes in ovine milk, MINERVA SA.

  • Development of subclinical mastitis screening tests for small ruminants with laboratory and point of care application, co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund- ESF).

  • Evaluation of immunomodulatory and antihypertensive properties of dairy byproducts and investigation of their effect on calcium and iron absorption by the intestinal epithelium, State Scholarship Foundation.

  • Innovative utilization approaches and comparative advantages of Cheese Whey of ovine/caprine origin from the region of Epirus, Regional government (Epirus-Greece).

  • Implementation of innovative technologies in the production of yogurt with enhanced biofunctional properties, Cooperation 2011, GSRT.

  • Genomic selection in dairy sheep’. Action: “Cooperation 2011” (2013-2015). Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.

  • Self-sufficient production of beef meat of fine quality. Action: PAVET 2013 (2014-2015). Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.

  • Iron bioavailability in dairy products, Biokid.

  • The biological value of soy, JSK Hellas.

  • The effect of vitamin E in the antioxidant capacity of dairy cows, DSM Nutritional Products.

  • Thalis – «The effects of antioxidants’ dietary supplementation on animal product quality, EU and Greece.

  • Developmental programming in rabbits: Effects of maternal nutrition on the productivity, physiology and behavior of the offspring.

Participation in Organizations

The laboratory staff participates in National and International Organizations such as:

  • European Federation of Animal Science

  • Hellenic Society for Animal Science

  • Hellenic Poultry Association

  • Geotechnical Chamber of Greece

  • World Rabbit Science Association, Greek Branch

  • World Poultry Science Association, Greek Branch

  • Poultry Science Association (USA)

Education Resources