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Activity Funded

Veterinary and Animal Science Research Centre

Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária

Reference
UIDB/00772/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Agricultural sciences
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Base

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes The Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), hosted by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), is focused on two main topics: i) IntegratedMeat Quality–Farm to Fork approach and ii) Veterinary Public Health–One Health concept. Activities in Integrated Meat Quality are (1) the use of non-invasive techniques to evaluate body and carcass composition of farm animals (2) study of factors that affect sensory and chemical characteristics of meat and meat products and evaluation of strategies to control spoilage and pathogens. Activities in Veterinary Public Health are (1) diagnostic and prognostic factors related to biologic problems (degeneration, inflammation, and neoplasia) and use of biomaterials for tissues regeneration using animal models (2) prevalence and epidemiological studies on zoonosis affecting animals and foodborne pathogens from food of animal origin contributing for their monitoring and evaluation of strategies for its mitigation. In terms of Integrated Meat Quality, CECAV will: (1) test, at the slaughterhouse, the utilization of low-cost image techniques for carcass evaluation to develop an automatic method for carcass classification (2) develop low cost strategies for meat and meat product industry, as the use of FTIR for meat quality evaluation and the use of natural additives and/or different types of packaging without affecting meat or meat products sensorial quality. In terms of Veterinary Public health CECAV will (1) approach to human medicine, focused on nervous degenerative disease using animal models (2) provide services for food safety through the accreditation of microbiological analyzes conducted at the Laboratory of Technology, Quality and Food Safety. The internationalization strategy of CECAV will be achieved by (1) the participation in international projects and thematic networks, (2) the cooperation with international research institutions, (3) the participation in international events (4) the publication of articles in top ranking scientific journals, (5) the invitation of foreign researcher to present lectures about the scientific topics of CECAV. CECAV supports PhD students from UTAD’s 3rd cycle of Animal Science and 3rd cycle of Veterinary Science and the AniSci Doctoral Program. A Workshop for Doctoral Students is organized every two years. CECAV will develop actions (1) to capture young scientists through activities for school students (e.g. “Ciência Viva” programme), (2) to professionals and graduate students (e.g. training courses in health and sanitary evaluation of hunting animals, unique at national level and validated by competent authority, (3) to scientists (e.g. in the next 2 years the Workshop “The economics of Animal Health and Production”, and two international conferences, about “Meat Quality and Safety” and about “Comparative Medicine–One Health Approach”). 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation The Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV) is hosted by the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) and develops research in the area of Animal and Veterinary Science and during 2018-2022 will focused on two main topics: (i) Integrated Meat Quality–farm to fork approach and (ii) Veterinary Public Health–one health concept. Activities in Integrated Meat Quality will be focused on (1) the use of non-invasive techniques to evaluate body composition and to estimate carcass composition and quality of farm animals, and (2) study of factors that affect sensory and chemical characteristics of meat and meat products and evaluation of strategies to control spoilage and pathogenic microflora. Activities in Veterinary Public Health will be focused on (1) diagnostic and prognostic factors related to biologic issues (normal physiology, morphology, degeneration, inflammation and neoplasia) and use of biomaterials for tissues regeneration using animal models contributing to animal and human health and welfare, and (2) prevalence and epidemiological studies on zoonosis affecting animals and foodborne pathogens from food of animal origin contributing for their monitoring and evaluation of strategies for its mitigation. CECAV will be supported by a new External Advisory Committee constituted by 3 experts in these areas and linked to international organizations. In terms of Integrated Meat Quality, CECAV will: (1) test, at the slaughterhouse, the utilization of low-cost image techniques for carcass evaluation to develop an automatic method for carcass classification, (based on studies published using non-invasive techniques for estimating carcass composition), and (2) develop low cost strategies for meat and meat product industry, as the use of FTIR technique for meat quality evaluation and the use of natural additives and/or different types of packaging without affecting meat or meat products sensorial quality. In terms of Veterinary Public health, (1) the approach to human medicine, focused on nervous degenerative disease using animals as models, will continue, and thus Programmatic Funding is requested for the acquisition of new equipment, and (2) the provision of services for food safety through the accreditation of microbiological analyses conducted at the Laboratory of Technology, Quality and Food Safety, for which Programmatic Funds are required, will be a new focus of CECAV. CECAV will increase its internationalization strategy efforts, which will be achieved through (1) The participation in international projects and thematic networks, (2) The cooperation with international research institutions, (3) The participation in international events disseminating CECAV activities and establishing contacts for international partnerships, (4) The publication of articles in top ranking scientific journals, (5) To make technical visits to establish contacts with important foreign researchers and acquire expertise (6) The invitation of foreign researcher to present lectures about themes related to the scientific topics of CECAV (e.g., CECAV has invited José Lorenzo Rodrigues from the Technological Meat Centre, Spain, for the upcoming National Zootechnical Congress). CECAV will continue (1) to support UTAD’s PhD Degrees (3rd cycle of Animal Science and 3rd cycle of Veterinary Science) receiving PhD students from these courses, expecting to increase the number of scholarships, and (2) the AniSci Doctoral Program and apply for PhD fellowships, for which Programmatic Funds are requested. The Workshop for Doctoral Students organized by CECAV will continue and the attraction of international PhD students also remains very important for CECAV. CECAV will also continue supporting the great number of MSc students (40-50 per year) and their practical work. Contributions to science education of general public will continue through the participation in activities organized by UTAD (e.g. Science and Technology Week). Also the development of outreach activities to capture young scientists will continue through activities focused on school students (e.g. “Ciência Viva” programme, “Open Day”). The organization actions to professionals and graduate students, as the training courses in health and sanitary evaluation of hunting animals, unique at national level and validated by the competent authority, will continue as a priority. About scientific events, CECAV will promote, annually, the organization of an international event on a theme related to its scientific areas as its most important dissemination action. Also, for the next two years CECA will organize the Workshop “The economics of Animal Health and Production”, and two international conferences, about “Meat Quality and Safety” and about “Comparative Medicine–One Health Approach”. CECAV will give special attention to knowledge transfer focused on the participation in projects, funded by public institutions or by private companies. As an example, CECAV is preparing an application for a co-promotion project with a poultry industry company, focused on extending the shelf life of poultry meat. Collaboration with other research infrastructures, such as the “Centro Tecnolóxico da Carne” will continue as well asthe existing links to national research groups. At UTAD, will continue collaborations with the Veterinary Hospital (HV-UTAD), for the development of studies on comparative medicine and transfer to human medicine, and with the Wildlife Recovery Centre, concerning the health of wild animals. The provision of services provided by a spin-off (Nut4Pet) founded by a CECAV member and the Test Centre for Pets proposed for Programmatic Funding represent an added value for CECAV.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária (UTAD CECAV)
  • Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)

Funding 716.250,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

716.250,00 €