Lu Zhang: Exploration of pig meat quality- gaining an understanding of the genetic factors influencing meat quality

During her PhD studies, Lu Zhang researched the meat quality of pig. Meat quality is characterized by complex multivariate properties such as water holding capacity, processing yield, color, juiciness and taste, etc. The importance of improving meat quality has been recognized worldwide for over two decades in pig production. However, there is still very limited knowledge of the mechanisms behind meat quality. Lu Zhang extensively explored meat quality of pig through association mapping, expression study and genetic variation analysis.
Her research findings contribute to identification of numerous quantitative trait loci, candidate genes and a segmental duplication associated with meat quality. These findings are very important to further improve meat quality.

The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

Time: Friday 17 May 2013
Place: Lecture Theatre, AU Foulum, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Exploring meat quality of pig through the application of molecular genetics
Contact information: Lu Zhang, e-mail: lu.zhang@agrsci.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Christoph Knorr, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, Germany
Professor Klaus Wimmers, Institute of Molecular Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Germany
Associate professor Bo Thomsen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Research Professor Christian Bendixen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Henrik Hornshøj, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English.

The defence is public.
The dissertation is available for reading at the Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, room 112, 8000 Aarhus C.