Ural scientists will study the genetic mechanisms that affect the content of trans fats dangerous to human health in milk

To carry out this work, a team of USAU scientists led by DOCTOR of Agricultural Sciences O.A. Bykova received a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.

The study is designed for 2022-2023. The financial support of the Russian Science Foundation will amount to 1.5 million rubles a year.

During this time, agricultural scientists are studying the genetic profiles of Black-and-White cattle to identify trans fats in cow's MILK and compare this fact with molecular genetic mechanisms.

The results obtained will make it possible to study the molecular genetic structure of cattle and genetic variability, thereby explaining the hereditary parameters of animals and their relationship with the content of fatty acids hazardous to human HEALTH in milk. Such large-scale studies have not yet been carried out in RUSSIA.

“The goal of the project is to identify molecular genetic control mechanisms, search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) and corresponding DNA markers associated with the content of trans-isomers of unsaturated fatty acids in cattle milk using genomic methods. This study will provide a scientific basis for controlling the content of unhealthy fats in animal products, since modern studies show a link between the consumption of transformed fats and the development of cardiovascular, oncological diseases, obesity, diabetes, infertility, as well as a number of diseases of the nervous and immune systems. and gastrointestinal tract,” explained Olga Alexandrovna Bykova, Professor of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Products of the Ural State Agrarian University, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences.

Let us recall that the results of the competition for grants from the Russian Science Foundation in the priority area of ​​activity "Conducting fundamental scientific research and exploratory scientific research by small individual scientific groups" were summed up in early December. According to the results of the peer review, 1822 projects received support. The RSF will allocate more than 2.7 billion rubles for their financing in 2022. In total, more than 9 thousand applications from 81 regions of Russia were received for the competition.

Text and photo - Yulia Filimonova
07.12.2021