Coordination Funds

这个研究组的总体目标是探索和了解内源植酸酶形成肌醇磷酸衍生物和肌醇的遗传、表观遗传和非遗传变异，以及它们与家禽的磷利用、微生物组和动物生理学的相关性。在更新期间，我们继续根据第一阶段的结果检验三个主要假设：1)蛋鸡对磷的利用和肌醇代谢是由禽类的遗传/表观遗传背景和肠道微生物组的活跃部分驱动的，从而能够进行有针对性的育种，以提高磷的利用；微生物群的变化，取决于年龄和摄食，有助于肌醇磷酸和肌醇的形成以及随后的生理和免疫功能；可以确定关键的生理特征来扩大更大人群中肌醇磷酸和肌醇代谢的表型。我们将利用两个遗传分化程度较高的高产蛋鸡品系进行三个试验。实验涉及不同的饮食供应，包括游离肌醇、磷和钙。研究股的项目从这些实验中获得调查材料。胃肠道内容物、血液和组织的样本使用基因组、表观基因组、转录组、蛋白质组、代谢组学、免疫学、微生物学、生理学和化学方法进行分析。除了在每个项目中进行假设测试外，结果还将被整体用于生物网络分析。我们的目标是在两个遗传差异不同的蛋鸡品系中，确定在产蛋开始和产蛋高峰期磷动态平衡和肌醇代谢的不同生物学策略。生物标记物的识别可以在育种策略中考虑磷代谢，并有助于更可持续地管理自然资源和改善动物健康。

The overall objective of this Research Unit is to explore and understand the genetic, epigenetic and non-genetic variations in the formation of inositol phosphate derivatives and myo-inositol by endogenous phytases, as well as their relevance for phosphorus utilisation, microbiome, and animal physiology in the fowl. In the renewal period, we continue testing three overarching hypotheses based on the results of the first period: 1.) phosphorus (P) utilisation by laying hens and myo-inositol metabolism are driven by the bird’s genetic/epigenetic background and the active fraction of the intestinal microbiome, enabling targeted breeding for improved P utilisation; 2.) changes in microbiome, depending on age and feeding, contribute to formation of inositol phosphates and myo-inositol and subsequent physiological and immunological functions; 3.) key physiological features can be identified to scale up the phenotyping of inositol phosphate and myo-inositol metabolism in larger populations. We will conduct three experiments using two high-yielding laying hen strains with a high degree of genetic differentiation. Experiments involve variable dietary supply of free myo-inositol, P and calcium. Projects of the Research Unit obtain their material of investigation from those experiments. Samples of gastrointestinal content, blood, and tissues are analysed using genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, immunological, microbiological, physiologic, and chemical methods. Besides hypotheses testing in each project, the results will be holistically used in biological network analyses. We aim to identify different biological strategies of P homeostasis and myoinositol metabolism at onset and peak of egg laying in two genetically contrasting laying hen strains. Identification of biomarkers may enable for the consideration of P metabolism in breeding strategies and contribute to a more sustainable management of natural resources and improved animal health.