Training Course in Research Groups (Large)

Abstract

The students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the various groups of the Institute of Animal Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on the job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.

Objective

- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research - Integration of the students into the research groups (on the job training) - Application of the gained knowledge

Content

The students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the research groups. Physiology and Animal Husbandry (W. Langhans): The Physiology group in this professorship works on the physiology and pathology of energy balance control in laboratory animals (mouse and rat) using standard molecular biology, genetic, and immunohistochemical techniques as well as ELISAa, RIAs and other analyses. In addition, the animals’ eating behavior is on-line recorded and telemetric methods are used to monitor for instance body temperature. The Ethology, Animal Welfare and Husbandry group (M. Stauffacher) capitalizes on the control mechanisms of behavior and on the ontogeny of behavioral abnormalities primarily in farm animals and horses. The results serve as a scientific basis for the optimization of husbandry conditions. Nutrition Biology (C. Wenk): In our experiments with pigs and poultry (broilers and laying hens) the influence of feedstuffs and feed additives on digestion processes, intermediate metabolism (including energy balances) and product quality (meat, fat tissues and eggs). Environmental aspects are often integrated. Animal Nutrition (M. Kreuzer): Research projects suitable for the Training Course are carried out in all four main focal areas of animal nutrition, i.e. Sustainable Production Systems (often projects on the ETH Research Stations Chamau and Weissenstein), Rumen Physiology & Environment (microbial processes in the rumen, methane emissions), Nutrition and Product Quality (meat and milk; especially fatty acids) and Tropical Livestock Nutrition (sample analysis from experiments in developing countries)

Resources