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Associate Professor Marina Fortes
Associate Professor

Marina Fortes

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54258

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

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

  • 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.

  • 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

128 works between 2008 and 2024

1 - 20 of 128 works

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

PSVII-7 Putative epigenetic regulating fatty acids content in muscle of Nelore cattle

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

Genome-wide association study for milk yield, frame, and udder conformation traits of Gir dairy cattle

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

Dissecting loci that underpin the genetic correlations between production, fertility, and urea traits in Australian Holstein cattle

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

An association weight matrix identified biological pathways associated with bull fertility traits in a multi‐breed population

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

Bioactive metabolites of Asparagopsis stabilized in canola oil completely suppresses methane emissions in beef cattle fed a feedlot diet

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

Pleomorphic adenoma gene (<i>PLAG1</i>) in reproduction and implication for embryonic survival in cattle: A review

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

Genomic regions and biological pathways associated with sex-limited reproductive traits in bovine species

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

Transcription factors and miRNA act as contrary regulators of gene expression in the testis and epididymis of Bos indicus animals

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

Genetic parameters for milk production and body-conformation traits in Dairy Gir cattle

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

Unravelling the genetic variability of host resilience to endo- and ectoparasites in Nellore commercial herds

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.

Are production measures a good indication of pregnancy success?

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

Editorial: Application of Omics Technologies to improve robustness and resilience in livestock species

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

Sequence level genome-wide associations for bull production and fertility traits in tropically adapted bulls

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

Repressive epigenetic mechanisms, such as the H3K27me3 histone modification, were predicted to affect muscle gene expression and its mineral content in Nelore cattle

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

Multi-breed genomic predictions and functional variants for fertility of tropical bulls

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

H3K27me3 predicted regulation of gene expression linked to calcium quantification in Nelore muscle

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

Utility of multi-omics data to inform genomic prediction of heifer fertility traits

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

Correlation scan: identifying genomic regions that affect genetic correlations applied to fertility traits

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

Weak genotype x environment interaction suggests that measuring scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age is helpful to select precocious Brahman cattle

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

Proteomic analysis of hypothalamus and pituitary gland in pre and postpubertal Brahman heifers

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2026
    LESTR Low Emission Saliva Test for Ruminants
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2019 - 2021
    Bull fertility update: historical data, new cohort and advanced genomics (Meat & Livestock Australia grant administered by CSIRO)
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Female Reproduction Phenobank and Validation Herds
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Female Reproduction Phenobank and Validation Herds
    Advance Queensland Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Contribution of non-coding RNA to DNA structure in sperm and male fertility
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Functional genetic markers for beef cattle reproductive traits
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Genomics and Gene Expression underpinning puberty for Improved Fertility in Australian Brahman Cattle
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Transcriptome sequencing of Brahman heifers at puberty
    CSIRO Flagships Collaboration Fund
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Heritability and role of new sperm assays
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Ideal markers for tropically adapted cattle - proof of concept: causative mutations for bull fertility
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Heritability and genomics of sperm chromatin integrity: a male fertility parameter for Bos indicus bulls
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Marina Fortes directly for media enquiries about:

  • Agriculture
  • Beef cattle
  • Genetics
  • Genomics

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au