High-throughput molecular technologies ("omics") can help to decipher the contributions of different physiological systems and identify candidate molecules that are representative of different physiological pathways thereby allowing the discovery of biomarkers. Notably, the omics technologies along with and computational methods, bioprospecting, and artificial intelligence will continue to lead to better understanding of biological mechanisms that are responsible for physical attributes, or phenotypes. Research breakthroughs obtained through these technologies can be used to enhance productivity of food animals, meet the increasing demand for animal-sourced foods, enhance high-quality nutrient availability, ensure nutrient safety, mitigate the effects of climate variability, and result in new technologies that provide continued improvement in food security worldwide. Such breakthroughs are an urgent necessity because over the past 50 years, there has been an unprecedented increase in the world's population, which will reach ten billion by the year 2050. Innovative and technological advancements that enhance all aspects of food production will arise from basic, fundamental research. Besides food, animal by-products have found many applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and household and industrial products. Hence, the need to ameliorate the productivity, reproductivity, growth performance, and disease resistance in animals has created a worldwide interest in gaining a deeper understanding of animal biology, biotechnology and genomics, and proteomics.
The present volume thoroughly discusses the omics studies in domestic and non-domestic animals and their role in mitigation of various challenges ahead.
The volume thus focuses on
i. Omics (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolonomics) technologies in identifying, characterizing biodiversity
ii. Role of molecular techniques for improvement of domestic and non-domestic organisms
iii. Animal and alternative model systems (using stem cells, tissue engineering, cell free systems, 3D platforms etc.) for studying life phenomena
iv. Genetically modified organisms as factories for the products
Ranbir Chander Sobti, former Vice-Chancellor at Panjab University in Chandigarh and at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Central University) in Lucknow, is a scientist, an able administrator, and dynamic institution builder. He has published more than 300 papers in journals of national and international repute, such as Mutation Research, Carcinogenesis, Achieves of Toxicology, Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, Molecular Cell Biochemistry, and PLOS I to name a few. He has also published more than 50 books by international publishers such as Springer, Academic Press, CRC, Elsevier, and others. He is a Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences India, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Medical Sciences, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Canadian Academy of Cardiovascular Diseases, and others. He was the general president of Indian Science Congress for the 102nd session held at University of Jammu in 2013. Dr.Sobti is the recipient of many prestigious awards, like the INSA Young Scientist Medal, UGC Career Award, Punjab Rattan Award, JC Bose Oration and Sriram Oration Awards, and of Life Time Achievement Awards of the Punjab Academy of Sciences, Zoological Society of India, and the Environment Academy of India, besides many other medals and awards of national and International levels.
Manishi Mukesh is Principal Scientist (Professor) at ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources in Karnal (India), and engaged in characterization and conservation of indigenous livestock breeds. He has more than 25 years of experience as a research scientist in the area of cattle and buffalo genomics. He has been engaged in assessing the genome diversity of various cattle breeds of India using neutral and functional markers. He has recently co-authored Advances in Animal Biotechnology (Springer). Dr. Mukesh has been awarded the ICAR National Fellow position twice for two terms since May 2011 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research for his contribution in the area of animal sciences. He is also the recipient of Dr PG Nair Memorial award, Dr BS Chauhan Gold Medal, and Eminent Scientist award from different national agencies.
Aastha Sobti has a master's degree in clinical dentistry and oro-facial surgery (UK) and works in the field of head and neck cancers using her intellect and her backround in oral and maxillofacial surgery. She has teaching and research experience of about seven years and has published a number of papers in reputed journals. She has been awarded a number of prizes and medals for her exceptional work. She has attended and presented papers in international conferences in Croatia, Brazil, Canada, USA, Japan, Switzerland and other countries.
