Francesca Aragona

Self-presentation:

Francesca is a zoonome currently associated with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production of the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. She is currently a PhD student in veterinary Science. His research focuses on the creation of a specific diet for animals, which is able to produce functional foods of animal origin (milk and cheese) and to evaluate their beneficial effects on humans in the prevention and treatment of the main metabolic diseases.

Project:

Formulation of precision feeds for the creation of customized diets and production of functionalized animal products useful in the prevention of metabolic diseases – FORMULAMI

My PhD project will evaluate the effects of technologically enhanced feeds on the productive performance of dairy ruminants, not only in quantitative terms, but especially in qualitative ones. We will assess the nutraceutical properties (bioactive molecules) of milk and cheese, and test their action on specific cell lines simulating conditions of metabolic dysfunction. In particular, we have developed a specific protocol in the laboratory to obtain 3KDa extracts from milk and cheese, which will be analyzed to identify functional molecules and used for cell culture techniques. Once foods with functional properties are identified, they will be used to create nutraceutical diets aimed at improving human health.

Supervisior:

Prof.ssa Angela Salzano, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Federico II of Naples, Italy.