Project

Identification of new biomarkers for physiological imbalance by means of state-of-the-art biotechnology

Projectnumber

Responsible

Abstract

Subproject 2 of Integrated risk management by use of advanced technology with reference to efficient milk production and a Danish leading role in on-farm sensor technology.

Partners

Lattec I/S, The National Committee on Cattle Husbandry (Danish Agricultural Advisory Centre)

Description

To identify and validate new biomarkers for monitoring physiological imbalance and individual differences in the response of cows to changes in the nutrient supply.

The subproject comprises the following main activities:

a) Identification of biomarkers for physiological imbalance in liver biopsies by means of quantitative proteome analyses (LC-MS/MS).

b) Targeted screening for relevant liver markers in more accessible samples (milk/blood) via combined mass spectrometry and clinical-chemical analyses with a view to describing the practical use and value of the biomarkerers.

Conc. a): In order to study the effect of physiological state, and the animals' metabolic response in case of changes in nutrient supply, a challenge experiment is carried out with changes in the protein/starch ratio of the feed ration. In connection with the change in feed, liver biopsies, blood samples and milk samples are taken from each cow. The physiological state of the cows is described based on clinical-chemical analyses, and high resolution quantitative proteome analyses are performed (LC-MS/MS) on liver biopsies. These analyses will also be the basis for describing differences in the response of the individual animal at molecular level. After having compared the groups and analysed the proteome patterns statistically, biomarkes are selected for further investigation and validation in part b) of the project.

Conc. b): Potential biomarkers are selected for further validation. This is done primarily by retrieving the markers of the liver tissue in milk and blood. Retrieval is done in an interaction between clinical-biochemical and MALDI-TOF-based analyses. Markers that can be retrieved in blood and milk will be adapted to MALDI-TOF-based analysis, and large-scale screening of single markers in a large animal material will subsequently be performed.

Financing