👉 Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sustainable breeding.
Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 09:00–10:30 CEST
Format: Online
The EcoGen Webinar Series continues with an exciting new episode: “Beyond Traditional Breeding: Part 1.”
This session brings together leading researchers from the Holoruminant, Re-Livestock, and RUMIGEN projects to explore how cutting-edge genomic, epigenomic, and multi-omics tools are reshaping livestock breeding for a more sustainable and resilient future.
🔬 About the Session
Traditional breeding has long focused on genetic selection to improve productivity and health in livestock. Today, advances in omics and cell technologies allow scientists to go beyond DNA sequence variation to uncover how epigenetics, metabolomics, and microbiome science influence animal performance, welfare, and adaptation.
This webinar will showcase how these innovations open new pathways for sustainable breeding, reduced emissions, and improved animal health and resilience.
🎙️ Meet the Speakers
Adrián López-Catalina (INIA-CSIC / University of Edinburgh) – RUMIGEN Project
Talk: Going beyond dairy cattle genetics using the RUMIGEN epichip
“By integrating epigenetics into breeding, our work goes beyond genetics by showing how maternal environments leave molecular marks on the calf’s genome.”
Adrián holds a PhD in Agro-environmental Technology for Sustainable Agriculture, focusing on cattle epigenetics. His research aims to detect epigenetic biomarkers linked to metabolic stress during embryo development caused by maternal lactation—revealing how environmental factors shape offspring performance.
Luca Fontanesi (University of Bologna) – Re-Livestock Project
Talk: Metabolomics paves the way for dissecting genetic factors affecting pig metabolism and resilience
Luca will discuss how metabolomics bridges the gap between genotype and phenotype, helping identify metabolic pathways linked to feed efficiency, stress response, and animal robustness.
Birgit Gredler-Grandl (Wageningen University & Research) – Re-Livestock Project
Talk: Genomic and metagenomic selection for lower methane emission
A senior researcher at the Animal Breeding & Genomics Centre at WUR, Birgit explores genetic selection strategies to reduce methane emissions in dairy cows while improving feed efficiency and sustainability.
Terhi Iso-Touru (Natural Resources Institute Finland – LUKE) – Holoruminant Project
Talk: Cell models as tools for exploring genetic resistance in dairy cattle
“We are replacing invasive or in vivo approaches with non-invasive in vitro cell models that enable repeated sampling and analyses without compromising animal welfare.”
Terhi’s research focuses on cattle genomics, health traits, and genotype–phenotype interactions. Her innovative work demonstrates how cellular models can accelerate discoveries in genetic resistance and animal well-being.
Velma Tea Essi Aho (Norwegian University of Life Sciences – NMBU) – Holoruminant Project
Talk: Rumen holo-omics reveals microbial community profiles across domains of life
“We can never truly understand ruminants without understanding their microbial partners. Modern omics tools now allow us to explore this symbiosis in unprecedented depth.”
Velma’s research bridges host and microbial genomics to reveal the complex interactions shaping animal health and productivity.
🌱 Why Attend?
- Gain insight into next-generation breeding tools beyond traditional genetics
- Learn how omics and cell technologies are applied in leading EU livestock projects
- Explore real-world examples of innovation driving sustainable animal production
- Connect with experts and stakeholders across the European livestock research community
👉 Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sustainable breeding.