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HEIndividual fellowship2022–2024

DEMyo · Development of myopathies in broiler chickens with a special insight into spaghetti meat

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-10-01 → 2024-09-30
EU contribution
€188,590
Participants
6
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

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Results in brief

Development of myopathies in broiler chickens with a special insight into spaghetti meat

To meet increasing demands for high-value proteins, broiler selection programs driven by growth rate led to the development of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), and emerging and underexplored myopathy such as spaghetti meat (SM). Although pectoralis major myopathies do not threaten safety, they impair meat quality, challenging the nutritional value of the breast meat, meat quality, and sensory acceptability, and causing enormous economic losses to the poultry industry. In light of the current situation, the DEMyo project tried to address important questions in myopathies research: What is the difference among animals developing WS, WB, and SM? How can we understand the molecular mechanism involved in developing broiler myopathies in both sexes? And importantly, can the incidence of these myopathies be reduced through dietary and management interventions? The primary objective of the DEMyo project was to apply an OMICS approach to study the development of SM, WS, and WB in fast-growing broiler chickens of both sexes. Additionally, the project aimed to assess whether nutritional strategies, including the use of sodium butyrate and sustainable protein sources like Chlorella vulgaris, could reduce the occurrence of myopathies, particularly under challenging conditions such as heat stress that encourage the development of myopathies.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

To meet increasing demands for high-value proteins, broiler selection programs driven by growth rate led to the development of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), and novel emerging and unexplored myopathies such as spaghetti meat (SM). In light of the current situation DEMyo project will address important questions in today's myopathies research: is it possible to detect myopathies in birds early age? Are there early differences between animals that will show myopathies at slaughter and the others or not? What’s the difference among animals developing WS, WB and SM? The novelty of the present proposal lies in the innovative application of advanced methodologies based on omics platforms to understand the molecular mechanism involved in the development of broiler myopathies in both sexes. The added value of the project is in assessing if nutritional manipulation with Na-butyrate might be used as a feeding strategy to decreases the occurrence of SM. The project will be developed for 2 years by means of 6 WPs. Candidates diverse scientific background in food science and veterinary medicine and advanced training from BCA and DAFNAE departments (UNIPD) reinforced with secondments at the University of Bologna, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and Wisconsis-Madison under supervision of the leading experts in the field will maximize the success of the research project and the candidate’s career goals. Communication, dissemination and results exploitation will be addressed to multiple stakeholders by different tools at national, EU and international levels. Results from this multidisciplinary project will have a scientific impact with novel information about myopathies to be adopted in the practice while meeting SDG 1, 3, 5, and 12, improving animal welfare, meat quality, and mitigating economic losses. MSCA project will be a career breakthrough, help the candidate established a position in the field, empower her role as a female scientist and provide her with skills and opportunities for further grants.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA · PadovaCoordinatorItaly
  • A.I.A. AGRICOLA ITALIANA ALIMENTARE S.P.A. · San Martino Buon Albergo VrItaly
  • ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA · BolognaItaly
  • REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · ANN ARBORUnited States
  • UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA · ValenciaSpain
  • VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union