Modern Biotechnologies in Animal Production

About the profession

Biotechnology, along with informatization, has become one of the main scientific and practical directions of the XXI century, determining the level of world civilization.

The programme is designed to provide the necessary skills for successful work in the field of bioengineering, embryo and zygote transplantation, in the creation of highly productive and genetically resistant to diseases animals. The programme teaches students to solve specific problems by creating a technological transgenesis systems and using reproductive cells. The programme exposes students to the technology of animal cloning and use of somatic cells. Students conduct independent scientific research using DNA analysis methods and interpret their results using biostatistical algorithms.

The basis of the master's programme is the concept of diversified approach to the selection of subjects of the educational process.

The master's programme consists of the following interrelated blocks

The first block

General disciplines: use of IT in biotechnology and genetic engineering; modern problems of biology, including animal reproduction.

Special courses: biotechnology as a factor of increasing the efficiency of animal production; machinery and equipment of modern laboratories for the analysis of animals genome and creation of high-yield lines and crosses.

The second block

Special disciplines: planning of biotechnological research in the field of animal production, marketing of animal products, breeding material, state agricultural policy, including the development of markets for genetically modified products and biosecurity.

Special courses: modern methods of molecular biology and genetics; genetic markers and DNA diagnostics in animal production and veterinary medicine; methods of animal gene targeting; research on analytical models of genetic control of genesis and assessment of selection traits on the basis of  development and improvement of molecular genetic test-systems; creation of DNA bank and gene indicators of livestock breads.

Practical training

Theoretical education is accompanied by educational internships in leading scientific centres, state agricultural companies and holdings, including: L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Russian Research institute of Animal Breeding, Laboratory of Genetics of All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, Breeding Center of All-Russian Research and Technological Poultry Institute Center for instrumental methods and innovative technologies for the analysis of substances and materials of RUDN. The duration of each training is not less than 11 weeks.