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HEDoctoral network2024–2028

BullNet · A cutting edge integrated approach to sperm biology and associated reproductive biotechnologies to assist the dairy and beef industries meet growing societal, environmental and economic demands

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2024-03-01 → 2028-02-29
EU contribution
€2,718,979
Participants
23
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

A cutting edge integrated approach to sperm biology and associated reproductive biotechnologies to assistthe dairy and beef industries meet growing societal, environmental and economic demands

The overall research aim of BullNet is to use cutting-edge molecular and machine-learning techniques, coupled with functional and applied methods to unravel the underlying sperm biology surrounding compromised fertility of individual bulls, which is a complex biological question. Developing an in-depth understanding of the molecular changes to sperm in the testes, epididymis and in the semen processing laboratory as well as how sperm interact with the endometrium and have legacy effects in the embryo, will allow us develop new strategies to improve fertility through improved management of young bulls, new semen processing and cryopreservation techniques (including reduced antibiotic usage) as well as the more accurate and reliable prediction of the fertility of sex-sorted and conventional semen. The BullNet doctoral network brings together a truly multidisciplinary transnational group of leading academic and non-academic partners in the field of bull fertility, sperm/cell biology, epigenetics, genomics, microbiology, RNA sequencing, nutrition, as well as bioinformatics, data science and machine-learning. Recognising a lack of coordinated activities in this interdisciplinary area of research, BullNet will train 14 early doctoral candidates (DCs) to the highest international standards and develop novel and effective methodologies to improve and predict the fertility of semen as well as improve the management of breeding bulls. Our vision is the delivery of high-quality semen from all bulls, including a robust, flexible sex-sorted semen product, from young, appropriately reared and managed, first-season elite sires that achieve predictable and consistent fertility, so as to provide the industry with a key tool to meet current animal welfare and emissions demands.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

BullNet, consisting of 8 beneficiaries and 13 associated partner organisations, will build a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectorial research programme designed to unravel the complex underlying biology of compromised fertility of individual bulls. Cutting-edge basic, applied and machine-learning approaches will be used to deliver a robust, flexible semen product from young, appropriately reared and managed, first-season elite sires that can be used successfully for artificial insemination (AI) with predictable and consistent fertility, so as to provide the industry with key tools to meet current emissions and animal welfare demands. BullNet will also lead to the advancement of knowledge in how bull management strategies and semen processing affect the functional and molecular characteristics of sperm, thus opening scientific horizons for new applications in the area of assisted reproduction. The overall aim of this programme is to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative doctoral candidates (DCs) in the area of bull fertility. BullNet will expose DCs to different sectors and they will acquire a comprehensive set of transferable skills working in the specific research area relating to their individual research projects, with an emphasis on the need for technology transfer from academic institutions to commercial users. Moreover, given the wide range of academic and industry organisations involved, the DCs will be able to face current and future challenges in order to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic, technological and societal benefit.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK · LimerickCoordinatorIreland
  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
  • EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH · ZuerichSwitzerland
  • ELIANCE · PARIS CEDEX 12France
  • Evospex · BernSwitzerland
  • HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN · BerlinGermany
  • IMV TECHNOLOGIES · Saint-Ouen-Sur-ItonFrance
  • INSTITUT FUER FORTPFLANZUNGLANDWIRTSCHAFTLICHER NUTZTIERESCHOENOW (IFN SCHOENOW) E.V. · Bernau (Ot Schoenow)Germany
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT · ParisFrance
  • KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN · KoelnGermany
  • Minitüb GmbH · TiefenbachGermany
  • NATIONAL CATTLE BREEDING CENTRE LIMITED · EnfieldIreland
  • RBB Rinderproduktion Berlin Brandenburg GmbH · Groß KreutzGermany
  • Swissgenetics · ZollikofenSwitzerland
  • TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY · CarlowIreland
  • THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST · BELFASTUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NottinghamUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITAT ZURICH · ZurichSwitzerland
  • UNIVERSITE CLERMONT AUVERGNE · CLERMONT FERRANDFrance
  • UNIVERSITE PARIS-SACLAY · Gif-Sur-YvetteFrance
  • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN · DublinIreland
  • UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN · SaskatoonCanada
  • VikingGenetics FMBA · RandersDenmark

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union