Scientific initiatives
The Department of Veterinary Sciences (DVS) carries out research across a broad spectrum of integrated initiatives within the veterinary sciences field. Research days ("Giornate della Ricerca") are scientific meetings held every year in late winter and summer. They are opened to all staff and students (undergraduates and graduates) with keynote speakers and scientific project presentations. Research programs impact on both basic and applied sciences, with specific focus on farm, companion and wild animal health, food safety and comparative medicine. The DVS maintains national and international partnerships with other notable Universities and Research Institutes, thus promoting numerous exchanges of researchers in multidisciplinary programs.
The DVS is the recipient of one of the ten Excellence Awards (2018-2022) assigned by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) to the University of Turin. The main objective of the DVS project is increasing awareness for proper use of drugs in veterinary medicine, which is an extremely timing topic aiming to reduce the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, as well as safeguarding and promoting animal health, welfare, and human health. The project consists in four main research lines: drug monitoring, best practices for drug use, drug reduction or substitution; consultancy and services. The intrinsic multidisciplinarity of this project enables synergies between sectors by encouraging the exchange of ideas, resources and strategies, thus orientating the DVS research lines toward the application of the One-Health approach.
In the framework of the Excellence Award Project, the DVS has launched several activities to promote internationalization in both science and education, by attracting visiting professors and scientists. Furthermore, the DVS has recently acquired cutting-edge infrastructures for bolstering the research quality in the field of proteomics, genomics and imaging. This new equipment is available in an Open Lab to provide young researchers with an adequate environment to master innovative techniques, thus increasing the DVS competitiveness (Learn more about Excellent Research Days).
The future transformation of the University campus into the City of Sciences, will lead to a significant expansion of the Open Lab's users, allowing to strengthen the collaborations between University and private sector on the territory.
Research in individual subject sectors according to EAEVE SOPs
Physics, Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (INF/01)
The sector’s research aims to develop innovative approaches for studying and modelling phenomena of veterinary interest. Network science is used to study and model epidemiological phenomena as well as developing machine learning approaches for investigating complex systems. Furthermore, the sector supports the other DVS research groups on data analysis.
Chemistry and Biochemistry (Subject sector BIO/10)
Most research focuses on the structural and functional characterization of the proteolytic, proteasomal system dependent on ATP and Ubiquitin (UPS). The main aim is to address the role of UPS in maintaining cellular homeostasis under both physiological and pathological conditions, such as multiple myeloma, systemic amyloidosis, feline fibrosarcoma, canine malignant pleural mesothelioma, neurodegenerative diseases.
Anatomy and Physiology (VET/01 - VET/02)
The main research lines of the Anatomy Sector are related to the field of neuroscience, with particular focus on the morphological and functional organization of spinal nociceptive pathways, neurogenesis phenomena in adult animals and mechanisms of cell death and proliferation during cerebellum development. Other research lines are mostly related to biomaterials, specifically those used for the production of heart valves.
The Physiology Sector is dedicated to the functional study of the development and differentiation of mammary glands and muscles, as well as the characterization of mesenchymal cells and the role of stem cells.
Pathological Anatomy (VET/03)
The main lines of research cover infectious and infective diseases, degenerative and neoplastic conditions, comparative human-animal pathology and the study of illicit treatment on animals in livestock farming. In addition to traditional laboratory investigations, specific approaches include: histochemical imaging techniques, electron microscopy, primary cell cultures or cell lines, molecular biology, genomics and experimental pathology.
Infectious Diseases (VET/05)
The traditional research lines of the Sector include: the characterization of infecting agents (cellular and molecular biology); the development of recombinant antigens; eco-epidemiology of infectious diseases; poultry pathology; tropical disease and public health in developing countries.
These lines are complemented by innovative lines including social science approaches, methods applied to infectious diseases and One Health assessment protocols; Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches for the complete characterization of infecting agents; Network science and mathematical models of host/pathogenic transmission and interaction.
Parasitology (VET/06)
The main research lined of the Sector are related to: parasitology, eco-pathology, conservation and health of wildlife, veterinary mycology with focus on epidemiology and diagnosis of zoonotic dermatoses. Further lines of research cover the epidemiology and control of vector-borne parasitosis and food-borne zoonosis.
Pharmacology and Toxicology (VET/07)
The research lines of Pharmacology cover pharmacokinetics, chemotherapy/antibiotic resistance, biochemical and endocrine effects produced by treatment with anabolic substances, breakdown of energy and animal welfare with particular emphasis in the identification of stress biomarkers.
The main research lines of Toxicology are focused on the identification of biomarkers of illicit treatment, the study of toxic effects of various mycotoxins and environmental pollutants, and the study of the expression of drug-metabolic enzymes.
Medical Clinics (VET/08)
The research lines are based on advanced diagnostic laboratory techniques, such as flow cytometry and diagnostics of hemostatic and thrombotic disorders. Other lines of research include: herd health; potentially communicable diseases to humans (e.g. spongiform encephalopathy); internal diseases in small animals, with particular focus on those affecting cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous systems, as well as those due to infectious and potentially zoonotic diseases (e.g. Leishmaniasis).
Surgical Clinics (VET/09)
The research lines are focused on surgical diseases of farm and companion animals. Main research topics concern: soft tissue surgery, surgical oncology, orthopedic surgery, dog and cat neurosurgery and colic surgery in horses.
Animal reproduction and obstetrics (VET/10)
The main research lines of the Sector aim to investigate the correlations between immune system and fertility postpartum, as well as monitoring and manipulating the estrous cycle - both in healthy and pathological subjects. Other lines concern: advanced reproductive management software in farms; advanced control systems for reproduction and early stages of a pet’s life; the interference of microbiota on fertility. Research also includes studies concerning fertility and manipulation of the estrous cycle of horses and non-traditional species.
Animal sciences and technologies (AGR/17, AGR/18, AGR/19, AGR/20)
Research lines include: the use of antioxidants in feed; the development of alternative protein sources for animal feed (e.g. insects); clinical nutrition; the study of new food-related diseases (obesity); the assessment of animal welfare by investigating specific parameters on animals and breeding environment through developing new technologies and dedicated software (precision livestock); protection of genetic resources; improvement of genetic resistance to diseases as a function of animal welfare and human health.
Inspection of food of animal origin (VET/04)
The main research lines of the Sector cover: the characterization of bacterial microflora in food matrices of animal origin; the identification of species in fresh and processed matrices; the detection of mycotoxins and biogenic amines in foods of animal origin; the detection by biomolecular techniques of zoonotic parasites and pathogenic bacteria; the identification of bacterial genes involved in antibiotic and disinfectant resistance; the study of problems related to the development of bacterial biofilms in the food industry and the performance of systems adopted to ensure food safety.