Department of Animal Sciences
The Department of Animal Sciences is involved in research and education related to the health and welfare of animals and people. The primary focus is on the functioning of animals, both from a curiosity perspective and in relation to the various functions animals have for people.
Chair groups
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group
The Animal Breeding and Genomics group contributes to our quality of life by providing knowledge to support the adequate supply of safe and healthy food of animal origin, and to enhance the health, welfare and productivity of animals.
Host-Microbe Interactomics
Our research ranges from work on the molecular mechanisms of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria to the interactions between and beneficial bacteria and their human or animal hosts. The group combines expertise in cell biology, immunology, microbiology and functional genomics to further our understanding of the molecular interactions occurring in the cross-talk between microbes and their hosts.
Aquaculture and Fisheries Group
It is our mission to be leading in academic research and education on sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries, with a focus on society relevant questions and on the interactions between aquatic organisms and their environment. We address, in particular, nutrition and health in aquaculture systems and adaptation of fishes and fisheries to changes in the environment.
Cell Biology and Immunology Group
The vision of the Cell Biology and Immunology Group (CBI) is to generate fundamental knowledge on the immune system of vertebrates. We apply this knowledge to the development of dietary-based immunomodulation, immunotherapies and vaccination strategies in order to improve health of animals and humans.
Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology
The group of Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology (QVE) of Wageningen University & Research has its core business in generating and disseminating knowledge on the epidemiology of diseases in animals, especially in livestock. The emphasis is on the transmission of infectious diseases within and between groups of animals and on factors that influence that transmission.
Animal Nutrition Group
We generate and transfer knowledge of the nutrition of animals to improve their production, health and welfare in a sustainable manner and improve the quality of life.
Behavioural Ecology Group
The Behavioural Ecology Group (BHE) studies the causes and consequences of animal behaviour with a focus on social contexts. We provide education in Behavioural Ecology and Applied Animal Behaviour. Our research focuses on: • Behavioural Ecology • Applied Animal Behaviour • Behaviour of Companion Animals
Experimental Zoology Group
The Experimental Zoology Group combines physics, engineering, molecular techniques and modelling in a quantitative systems analysis to solve fundamental problems in biology. This provides insights that we use to offer solutions for practical problems with societal relevance.
Human and Animal Physiology
Human and Animal Physiology performs molecular physiological research and academic training focused on mechanistic understanding of energy metabolism in health and disease of humans and animals and how this can be targeted by specific nutrients to improve health.
Adaptation Physiology
Animal welfare and health are shaped by the ability to adapt to changing and challenging environments. The mission of the Adaptation Physiology Group (ADP) is to improve and facilitate adaptation of animals, and provide supportive environments. The group focuses on long-term effects of early life conditions and adaptation during critical transition periods (e.g. weaning of piglets, onset of lactation in dairy cattle, hatching of chickens).
Animal Production Systems Group
Research of the Animal Production Systems Group focuses on unravelling the complexity of concerns in livestock systems and exploring trade-offs and synergies of innovations regarding environmental impact, animal welfare, and economic viability, to design a more sustainable future.
Marine Animal Ecology Group
Marine animal ecology (MAE) studies how marine animals adapt in response to a changing environment. Our research is focused on different organismal levels, from eco-physiology, early life-stage development, population genomics, up to whole ecological community responses. We subsequently apply our research to gain an understanding of the consequences of anthropogenic activities to ecosystem services and conservation management.