HUJI2023/24

Farm animals and pets have accompanied humans from very early on and in this course the genetics of traits valuable for humans and how breeding is used to improve them will be considered. Relevant principals of population genetics and quantitative genetics will be taught that allow understanding the domestication process of animals and the differences from their wild relatives. Using these same principals the methodology and rational of animal breeding will be demonstrated for major farm animals like cattle (dairy and beef), poultry (egg laying hens and broilers) and fish. Lastly, more advanced topics in breeding and biotechnological tools that make use of molecular information will be presented and their potential advantages for animal breeding and health will be discussed.