Overview
Background
Marina Fortes has a degree in Veterinary Medicine (2004) and a Master of Science in Animal Reproduction (2007) from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. She completed her PhD in genetics, in 2012 at The University of Queensland (UQ). For her PhD Marina had international scholarships from UQ and the Beef CRC. Her PhD received the Dean's commendation award. After that, Marina worked as a post-doc at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI). In August 2014, Marina joined the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB) as an academic and established the Livestock Genomics Group. As a researcher, Marina is interested in genetics and genomics, sustainable livestock production, and reproductive biology. Ongoing collaborations link her group to a rich research environment, both domestic and international, which contributes to sustainable livestock industries. Meat and Livestock Australia has provided ongoing support to the projects led by her group. For her work on the genomics of cow fertility, Marina received an Advanced Queensland Fellowship (2018-2021). Marina teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including the Livestock Biotechnology course (BIOT7038) within the Master of Biotechnology program. The Women in Science podcast - https://soundcloud.com/womeninscience - was produced by Marina Fortes, Marloes Dekker, and Kirsty Short.
Availability
- Associate Professor Marina Fortes is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
- Masters (Research) of Animal Reproduction, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Collaboration / Affiliation, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Research interests
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Beef Cattle Genomics
In our research, genomics technologies are applied to cattle populations to understand the molecular mechanisms driving production traits and impact on selective breeding.
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Reproductive Biology
Understanding bovine reproductive biology, as a model to mammalian organisms, is a key component of our research that can benefit livestock production. Cattle fertility has major implications for the sustainability of the beef and dairy industries.
Research impacts
The Livestock Genomics Group leads research projects that impact on the sustainability of animal production. The Australian beef industry is our main research partner, and so our projects deliver outcomes to cattle producers. A better understanding of the genomics of livestock informs selective breeding practices. Selective breeding is a proven method to improve livestock efficiency and therefore increase food production while reducing the environmental impact of this vital activity.
Works
Search Professor Marina Fortes’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
PSVII-7 Putative epigenetic regulating fatty acids content in muscle of Nelore cattle
Afonso, Juliana, Cardoso, Tainã Figueiredo, Bruscadin, Jennifer Jéssica, de Lima, Andressa Oliveira, Da Diniz, Wellison Jarles Silva, Mourao, Gerson Barreto, Cesar, Aline Silve Mello, Zerlotini, Adhemar, Coutinho, Luiz Lehmann, Fortes, Marina R S and de Regitano, Luciana Correia Almeida (2024). PSVII-7 Putative epigenetic regulating fatty acids content in muscle of Nelore cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 102 (Supplement 3), 446-447. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae234.505
2024
Journal Article
Genome-wide association study for milk yield, frame, and udder conformation traits of Gir dairy cattle
Dominguez-Castaño, P., Fortes, M., Tan, W.L.A., Toro-Ospina, A.M. and Silva, J.A.II V. (2024). Genome-wide association study for milk yield, frame, and udder conformation traits of Gir dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-24648
2024
Journal Article
Dissecting loci that underpin the genetic correlations between production, fertility, and urea traits in Australian Holstein cattle
Olasege, Babatunde S., van den Berg, Irene, Haile‐Mariam, Mekonnen, Ho, Phuong N., Yin Oh, Zhen, Porto‐Neto, Laercio R., Hayes, Ben J., Pryce, Jennie E. and Fortes, Marina R. S. (2024). Dissecting loci that underpin the genetic correlations between production, fertility, and urea traits in Australian Holstein cattle. Animal Genetics, 55 (4), 540-558. doi: 10.1111/age.13455
2024
Journal Article
An association weight matrix identified biological pathways associated with bull fertility traits in a multi‐breed population
Tan, Wei Liang Andre, Hudson, Nicholas James, Porto Neto, Laercio Ribeiro, Reverter, Antonio, Afonso, Juliano and Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas (2024). An association weight matrix identified biological pathways associated with bull fertility traits in a multi‐breed population. Animal Genetics, 55 (4), 495-510. doi: 10.1111/age.13431
2024
Journal Article
Bioactive metabolites of Asparagopsis stabilized in canola oil completely suppresses methane emissions in beef cattle fed a feedlot diet
Cowley, Frances C., Kinley, Robert D., Mackenzie, Sigrid L., Fortes, Marina R. S., Palmieri, Chiara, Simanungkalit, Gamaliel, Almeida, Amelia K. and Roque, Breanna M. (2024). Bioactive metabolites of Asparagopsis stabilized in canola oil completely suppresses methane emissions in beef cattle fed a feedlot diet. Journal of Animal Science, 102 skae109. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae109
2024
Journal Article
Pleomorphic adenoma gene (<i>PLAG1</i>) in reproduction and implication for embryonic survival in cattle: A review
D’Occhio, Michael J, Campanile, Giuseppe, Baruselli, Pietro S, Porto Neto, Laercio R, Hayes, Ben J, Collins, Alf and Fortes, Marina R S (2024). Pleomorphic adenoma gene (PLAG1) in reproduction and implication for embryonic survival in cattle: A review. Journal of Animal Science, 102 ARTN skae103. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae103
2024
Journal Article
Genomic regions and biological pathways associated with sex-limited reproductive traits in bovine species
Olasege, Babatunde S, Oh, Zhen Yin, Tahir, Muhammad S, Porto-Neto, Laercio R, Hayes, Ben J and Fortes, Marina R S (2024). Genomic regions and biological pathways associated with sex-limited reproductive traits in bovine species. Journal of Animal Science, 102 ARTN skae085. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae085
2024
Journal Article
Transcription factors and miRNA act as contrary regulators of gene expression in the testis and epididymis of Bos indicus animals
Afonso, Juliana, Lima, Andressa Oliveira, de Sousa, Marco Antonio Perpétuo, de Athayde, Flávia Regina Florêncio and Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas (2024). Transcription factors and miRNA act as contrary regulators of gene expression in the testis and epididymis of Bos indicus animals. Gene, 899 148133, 148133. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148133
2024
Journal Article
Genetic parameters for milk production and body-conformation traits in Dairy Gir cattle
Dominguez-Castaño, P., Fortes, M., Toro-Ospina, A. M. and Silva, J. A. II. V. (2024). Genetic parameters for milk production and body-conformation traits in Dairy Gir cattle. Animal Production Science, 64 (4) AN23207. doi: 10.1071/an23207
2023
Journal Article
Unravelling the genetic variability of host resilience to endo- and ectoparasites in Nellore commercial herds
Gouveia, Gabriela Canabrava, Ribeiro, Virgínia Mara Pereira, Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas, Raidan, Fernanda Santos Silva, Reverter, Antonio, Porto-Neto, Laercio Ribeiro, Moraes, Mariana Mamedes de, Gonçalves, Daniel Resende, Silva, Marcos Vinicius Gualberto Barbosa da and Toral, Fabio Luiz Buranelo (2023). Unravelling the genetic variability of host resilience to endo- and ectoparasites in Nellore commercial herds. Genetics Selection Evolution, 55 (1) 81, 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s12711-023-00844-9
2023
Conference Publication
Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?
McCosker, Kieren, Boulton, Alana, Dekkers, Milou, Ross, Elizabeth, Hudson, Nick and Fortes, Marina (2023). Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?. North Australian Beef Research Update Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 22-25 August 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Editorial: Application of Omics Technologies to improve robustness and resilience in livestock species
Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas and Pegolo, Sara (2023). Editorial: Application of Omics Technologies to improve robustness and resilience in livestock species. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10 1224630. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1224630
2023
Journal Article
Sequence level genome-wide associations for bull production and fertility traits in tropically adapted bulls
Tan, Wei Liang Andre, Neto, Laercio Ribeiro Porto, Reverter, Antonio, McGowan, Michael and Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas (2023). Sequence level genome-wide associations for bull production and fertility traits in tropically adapted bulls. BMC Genomics, 24 (1) 365, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12864-023-09475-2
2023
Journal Article
Repressive epigenetic mechanisms, such as the H3K27me3 histone modification, were predicted to affect muscle gene expression and its mineral content in Nelore cattle
Afonso, Juliana, Shim, Woo Jun, Boden, Mikael, Salinas Fortes, Marina Rufino, da Silva Diniz, Wellison Jarles, de Lima, Andressa Oliveira, Rocha, Marina Ibelli Pereira, Cardoso, Tainã Figueiredo, Bruscadin, Jennifer Jessica, Gromboni, Caio Fernando, Nogueira, Ana Rita Araujo, Mourão, Gerson Barreto, Zerlotini, Adhemar, Coutinho, Luiz Lehmann and de Almeida Regitano, Luciana Correia (2023). Repressive epigenetic mechanisms, such as the H3K27me3 histone modification, were predicted to affect muscle gene expression and its mineral content in Nelore cattle. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 33 101420, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101420
2023
Journal Article
Multi-breed genomic predictions and functional variants for fertility of tropical bulls
Porto-Neto, Laercio R., Alexandre, Pamela A., Hudson, Nicholas J., Bertram, John, McWilliam, Sean M., Tan, Andre W. L., Fortes, Marina R. S., McGowan, Michael R., Hayes, Ben J. and Reverter, Antonio (2023). Multi-breed genomic predictions and functional variants for fertility of tropical bulls. PLoS One, 18 (1) e0279398, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279398
2022
Conference Publication
H3K27me3 predicted regulation of gene expression linked to calcium quantification in Nelore muscle
Afonso, J., Shim, W.J., Boden, M., Palpant, N., Fortes, M.R.S., Diniz, W.J.S., Lima, A.O., Rocha, M.I.P., Cardoso, T.F., Bruscadin, J.J., Gromboni, C.F., Nogueira, A.R.A., Mourão, G.B., Zerlotini, A., Coutinho, L.L. and Regitano, L.C.A. (2022). H3K27me3 predicted regulation of gene expression linked to calcium quantification in Nelore muscle. 12th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP), Rotterdam, Netherlands, 3-8 July 2022. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers. doi: 10.3920/978-90-8686-940-4_553
2022
Journal Article
Utility of multi-omics data to inform genomic prediction of heifer fertility traits
Tahir, Muhammad S., Porto-Neto, Laercio R., Reverter, Antonio, Olasege, Babatunde S., Sajid, Mirza R., Wockner, Kimberley B., Tan, Andre W.L. and Fortes, Marina R.S. (2022). Utility of multi-omics data to inform genomic prediction of heifer fertility traits. Journal of Animal Science, 100 (12) skac340, 1-10. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac340
2022
Journal Article
Correlation scan: identifying genomic regions that affect genetic correlations applied to fertility traits
Olasege, Babatunde S., Porto-Neto, Laercio R., Tahir, Muhammad S., Gouveia, Gabriela C., Cánovas, Angela, Hayes, Ben J. and Fortes, Marina R. S. (2022). Correlation scan: identifying genomic regions that affect genetic correlations applied to fertility traits. BMC Genomics, 23 (1) 684, 1-20. doi: 10.1186/s12864-022-08898-7
2022
Journal Article
Weak genotype x environment interaction suggests that measuring scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age is helpful to select precocious Brahman cattle
Nascimento, Bárbara M., Carvalheiro, Roberto, de A. Teixeira, Rodrigo, Dias, Laila T and Fortes, Marina R. S. (2022). Weak genotype x environment interaction suggests that measuring scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age is helpful to select precocious Brahman cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 100 (9) skac236, 1-13. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac236
2022
Journal Article
Proteomic analysis of hypothalamus and pituitary gland in pre and postpubertal Brahman heifers
Nguyen, Loan To, Lau, Li Yieng and Fortes, Marina Rufino Salinas (2022). Proteomic analysis of hypothalamus and pituitary gland in pre and postpubertal Brahman heifers. Frontiers in Genetics, 13 935433, 1-15. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.935433
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Marina Fortes is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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LESTR Low Emission Saliva Test for Ruminants (2022–2026)
Enteric methane emissions, the rumen microbiome, and cattle metabolism are interconnected topics of interest for livestock sustainability. In this new industry fund project, we will investigate how pregnancy affects the metabolism of cows and may impact their enteric methane emissions. Further, we will collect rumen and saliva samples to study their microbiome. A desirable outcome of this project will be the development of a saliva test for ruminants that can indicate if an animal is a low or a high emitter of methane. A saliva test could become a practical tool for farmers to select and manage their cattle. Students in this project will have the opportunity to engage with all aspects of the research: cattle trials, molecular genetics work in the laboratory, bioinformatics, and data analyses.
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Literature Review Project: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Farming
This project is suitable for Honours or Master students looking to do a literature review and/or write a research proposal about greenhouse gas emissions from beef farming. A variety of beef farming systems co-exist in Australia. The beef industry is interested in understanding which systems are more environmentally sustainable, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
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The interface between genomes and diet in ruminants
Global population growth is placing increasing demands on the agriculture sector to produce greater amounts of food more efficiently. Livestock products provide a nutritious source of protein for the world population and more efficient production will be required in the future to meet increasing demand. Breeds and individual cattle and sheep can show substantial differences in response to diet with some animals responding more productively than others. The proposed research program will investigate which parts of the genome likely underpin response to diet in cattle and sheep. Biochemical pathways relevant to the new science of nutrigenomics will be uncovered primarily through investigation of genome-wide gene expression data sets available for metabolically important tissues such as muscle, fat, and liver. Cutting edge bioinformatics tools including the latest approaches from network science will be deployed. This knowledge may help us understand why some animals fare better than others under given nutritional circumstances and perhaps inform decisions regarding diet formulation.
This project is a collaboration with Dr. Nick Hudson https://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/14636
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Cattle Pregnancy and Methane Emissions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Marloes Nitert Dekker, Dr Elizabeth Ross
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Doctor Philosophy
Using Systems Biology to understand the genetic basis of bull fertility phenotypes and their covariance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating and bioengineering grain quality in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Godwin, Dr Milos Tanurdzic, Dr Peter Crisp
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Doctor Philosophy
Cellular oxidative damage and ruminant feed efficiency
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nick Hudson
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Correlation Scan: developing and applying a new method to uncover the genomic locations that affect the genetic correlations between traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Hayes
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Genes and Polymorphism Associated with Female Reproductive Traits in Bos indicus Influenced Cattle
Principal Advisor
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Using Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis to Characterize the Biological Basis of Puberty in Brahman Heifers
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the effects of AUD on the human brain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk, Professor Benjamin Schulz
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Amino acid specific appetite related with growth and feed intake in broiler chicken
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Nutrient specific appetites and feather pecking behaviour in laying hens
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Marina Fortes directly for media enquiries about:
- Agriculture
- Beef cattle
- Genetics
- Genomics
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