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Gruppo di ricerca

Lab. nameGenetica animale 
Principal Investigator Gian Carlo Manicardi 
ComponentsGian Carlo Manicardi  (Responsabile )
Mauro Mandrioli  (Collaboratore )
DescriptionThe DIGITAG Lab is currently working to several projects involving big data (in particular genomic data), the development of new informatic/engineer tools/apps to monitor/collect insects and the organization of cyber citizen science projects. In particular we are working to: 1.develop new platforms for the sequencing and annotation of genomes obtained from bacteria of agricultural interest. We are currently involved in the sequencing and annotation of the genome of Streptomyces species isolated from both soil and vegetables. This project is performed in collaboration of the bacteriologist Prof. Emilio Stefani (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia); 2. annotate and map at a chromosomal level genomes of insect of agricultural interest. We are collaborating to the annotation and chromosomal localization of scaffolds isolated from the aphid Aphis glycines genome. Aphids have been scarcely studied at chromosomal level so that our collaboration with Rosanna Giordano (University of Puerto Rico) will represent the first deep study of the aphid chromosomes; 3. apply the blockchain technology to the pork meat industry. A proposal from our laboratory has been recently granted by Regione Emilia Romagna (Italy) to support the development and application of the block chain technology for the traceability of pork meat in collaboration with OPAS (Organizzazione Prodotto Allevatori Suini ), a leading brand in Italy, and Prof. Domenico Pietro Lo Fiego (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) e Michele Colajanni (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia); 4. localize bacterial strains in insects by whole mount in situ hybridization, combined with confocal microscopy. We are collaborating since several years with the research laboratories of Alberto Alma (DISAFA, University of Turin), Elena Crotti (DEFENS, University of Milan) and Daniele Daffonchio (King Abdullah University) to the study of the composition and role of microbiota in insects of agricultural interest, such as psyllids and leafhoppers; 5.. initiate projects and organise seminars (such in in schools) that encourage citizens and scientists to collaborate in new ways to solve big challenges. In particular, we are working to the monitoring of insects in Italy with the projects "MORE bugs" and "MORE insects". "MORE bugs"is a trial project to verify the chance to use urban green areas to monitor hemipteran insects with particular regards for new invasive species, whereas "MORE insects" is a local project to have a check list of insects in the cities of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Both projects are currently based on the iNaturalist web-based platform. 
Addressvia Giuseppe Campi, 213/d - 41125 Modena 
Keywordsinsect genomics, biological diversity, museum collection 
ERC Sectors 
InstrumentationMajor equipments include DNA fluoremeter, epifluorescence microscope, 3 power supplies, 3 gel apparatuses, pHmeter, -80 freezer, -20 and +4 refrigerators, bench centrifuges, PCR machines. A cell culture room, fully equipped with hood and incubator for invertebrate cells, centrifuges and microscopes is present. 
Research Lines Agrifood and Environment

Methodologies Insect molecular genetics, cytogenetics and genomics, bioinformatics, biodiversity, museum collection, museomics