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Call for papers - Genomics of livestock

Guest Editors

Simone Ceccobelli, PhD, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy
Yahui Gao, PhD, South China Agricultural University, China
Emiliano Lasagna, PhD, University of Perugia, Italy
Francesco Perini, PhD, Università degli studi di Padova, Italy
Elizabeth Ross, PhD, The University of Queensland, Australia

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 20 December 2024
 

BMC Genomic Data invites submissions for our upcoming Collection, Genomics of livestock. This collection aims to showcase innovative research in livestock genomics. We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit original research articles and data notes that explore various topics, such as the discovery of new livestock genomes, the analysis of omics datasets related to livestock, comparative genomics studies in livestock, genomic selection in livestock, and advancements in livestock genome editing techniques.


New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Meet the Guest Editors

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Simone Ceccobelli, PhD, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy

Dr Ceccobelli is a Scientist at the Università Politecnica delle Marche. He received his PhD at University of Padua (Italy). He continued his research at University of Perugia (Italy) as PostDoc working on many research projects focusing on the use of molecular tools applied to livestock breeding and biodiversity. He collaborated on a project aiming to study genes related to environmental stress tolerance in livestock. He is involved in research aimed at the genetic characterization of livestock species using SNPs. The area of expertise focuses on population and molecular genetics, with particular attention to the use of genomic tools to maintain genetic variability in conservation and selection programs.

Yahui Gao, PhD, South China Agricultural University, China

Dr Gao earned his PhD in Animal Genetics and Breeding from China Agricultural University in 2017. Following this, Dr Gao pursued postdoctoral research, spending a year at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics at Aarhus University (Denmark). Subsequently, he relocated to the USA, where he held a joint postdoctoral position at the Department of Animal & Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, and ARS-USDA. In 2023, Dr Gao joined the faculty of the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding at South China Agricultural University as an Associate Professor. His primary research focus is on unraveling the genetic foundations of complex traits in livestock. This pursuit enables a better understanding of the underlying biology and a more accurate prediction of animal performance and disease risks.

Emiliano Lasagna, PhD, University of Perugia, Italy

Dr Lasagna is an Associate Professor in Animal Genetics and Breeding at the University of Perugia (Italy). His research activities are focused on animal breeding and the genetics of livestock animals. His work includes the utilization of molecular markers in animal breeding and their application to selection schemes. His research field encompasses the genetic characterization of Italian and European sheep breeds, as well as the investigation of the double muscling phenomenon (myostatin gene) in the Marchigiana beef cattle breed. Currently, he is engaged in studies examining the impact of specific SNPs on productive traits in Italian beef cattle breeds. In recent years, he has also initiated research on the genetic characterization of autochthonous chicken breeds using molecular markers. Additionally, he is collaborating on projects aimed at studying genes associated with environmental stress tolerance (including livestock density and high temperatures) and resistance to climate change.

Francesco Perini, PhD, Università degli studi di Padova, Italy

Dr Perini completed his PhD at the University of Perugia (Italy) and is currently conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Padua (Italy). His focus lies in the genomic characterization of animal biodiversity, specifically in local poultry genotypes. He employs Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches to identify genomic features associated with local breed phenotypes. Dr Perini collaborates on a project aimed at identifying genomic regions and genetic variants related to productive traits and environmental impact phenotypes in local beef cattle breeds. Additionally, he conducts RNA-seq analysis to study fatty acid metabolic pathways in local chicken breeds.

Elizabeth Ross, PhD, The University of Queensland, Australia

Dr Ross studied Animal Science at La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia) before going on to complete a PhD where she developed the first ever application of microbiome predictions and applied them to identify low methane-producing animals.  Since joining the University of Queensland in 2017 she has published over 40 peer-reviewed publications and secured over $6Mil in grant funding as lead investigator. She currently leads a team of postdocs and students who are applying cutting-edge biotechnology solutions to the problems that face agriculture today and into the future. 

About the Collection

As the global population continues to increase and it is expected to approach 10 billion by 2050, the world is facing unprecedented challenges such as climate change. It is estimated that global demand for animal products will increase by 70% by 2050. Increasing animal production will require a deep understanding of animal biology through genetics and genomics to feed the world's growing population. In addition, consumers demand the consumption of high-quality products.

Genetics and genomics will play a key role in increasing the efficiency of livestock production systems. In this context, high-throughput genomics technologies are currently driving significant change in how genetic improvement is implemented in domestic animal species. These new technologies produced an incredible amount of data. The data have been used in a wide range of scientific studies, from the development of reference genomes to expression profiling of thousands of genes.

Current genetic and genomic selection must target animal production, product quality, reproduction, health and welfare in such a way that a high-quality, safe, healthy and affordable food supply is available to everyone around the world.

Therefore, in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), ‘Zero Hunger’, BMC Genomic Data invites submissions for our upcoming Collection, Genomics of livestock. This collection aims to showcase innovative research in livestock genomics. We invite researchers and experts in the field to submit original research articles and data notes that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • New livestock genomes
  • Omics dataset of livestock
  • Comparative genomics of livestock
  • Livestock genomic selection
  • Livestock genome editing


Image credit: W PRODUCTION / stock.adobe.com

  1. Sheep breeds native to the United Kingdom exhibit a striking diversity of different traits. Some of these traits are highly sustainable, such as seasonal wool shedding in the Wiltshire Horn, and are likely to ...

    Authors: Eleanor Kerr, Melissa M. Marr, Lauren Collins, Katie Dubarry, Mazdak Salavati, Alissa Scinto, Shernae Woolley and Emily L. Clark
    Citation: BMC Genomic Data 2024 25:82
    Content type: Research Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles and Data Notes. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Genomics of livestock" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.