During her PhD studies, Laura Skrubbeltrang Hansen researched the use of genetics to optimise the production of insects used for food and feed. Insect protein is a sustainable alternative to other animal protein and can be used as feed to reduce the climate impact of agriculture. Laura Skrubbeltrang Hansen studied how genetic selection methods, which have been very successful in optimising traditional livestock and crops, can be developed and implemented in insect production. She researched the potential for genetic improvement in commercial insects and developed protocols to enable successful selective breeding practices.
The new research findings contribute to the advancement of the novel insect selective breeding research area and bring us one step closer to a sustainable long-term food and feed production.

The PhD study was completed at Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG), Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday, 25 January 2024 at 09:00.
Place: Building 1630, the AIAS Auditorium, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C.
Title of PhD thesis: Selective Breeding in Insects for Food and Feed
Contact information: Laura Skrubbeltrang Hansen, e-mail: lsh@qgg.au.dk, tel.: +45 26256795

Members of the assessment committee:
Principal Scientist Dr. Antti Kause, Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland.

Professor Henk Bovenhuis, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands

Professor Luc Janss (chair), Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG), Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Senior Researcher Goutam Sahana, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG), Aarhus University, Denmark

Senior Researcher Hanne Marie Nielsen, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG), Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Professor Torsten Nygård Kristensen, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.