This workshop focuses on understanding the genetic basis of affective traits in animals, examining Mendelian and polygenic traits. By gaining insight into these genetic influences, the workshop aims to help prevent the selection of genetic variants that may increase the risk of primary neurological disorders in animals. Additionally, it explores the potential for selecting polymorphisms that improve animal welfare and resilience, promoting healthier and more sustainable animal populations. The polygenic half covers high-throughput phenotyping techniques, while the Mendelian component draws on research from model organisms and case studies of humans and wild animals. These studies focus on naturally occurring changes in key genes, many of which play highly conserved roles in mammals and, in some cases, even non-mammals.

We will announce the speakers by mid-November on this page.

The workshop is part of the Plant and Animal Genome Conference 2025 (PAG 32), the largest ag-genomics meeting in the world. We hope to see you there!