Cynthia Bottema

Cynthia Bottema

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Cynthia Bottema is an Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide in the School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences. Her expertise is in molecular genetics, DNA testing, biotechnology, and lipid biochemistry, particularly as applied to animal science and livestock production. Cindy received her PhD in Microbial Physiology at Oregon State University. Upon completion of a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University, Cindy was appointed as a human molecular genetics research associate at the Mayo Clinic. In 1992, Cindy took a position at the University of Adelaide as the JS Davies Professorial Research Fellow in cattle molecular genetics and in 2000, became a tenured academic at the University of Adelaide. Since 2000, Cindy has had several educational roles in the University including acting as the Animal Science Honours Coordinator, Animal Science, Program Coordinator, the School Associate Head of Staff, the Head of the Animal & Veterinary Biosciences Department and a member of the School Executive Committee.

Cindy’s teaching interests include genetics, molecular genetics, biotechnology, biochemistry, and microbiology. Her research interests are in livestock molecular genetics and include the genome organization of Bovidae, genome mapping in Bovidae and genetics of lipid metabolism in cattle. Cindy served on the Executive Committee of the International Society of Animal Genetics for many years.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH INTERESTS

Sterol metabolism in yeast. Projects included:

  • Characterisation of the enzyme 14D-sterol reductase in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway of fungi.
  • Quantitation and analysis of sterols in yeast mitochondria and plasma membranes.
  • Thermotropic and enzymatic studies on yeast membranes with altered sterol compositions.

Steroid binding in yeast. Projects included:

  • Characterisation and purification of an estrogen binding protein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
  • Isolation and characterisation of ligands of the yeast estrogen binding protein.
  • Comparative studies of mammalian estrogen receptors from tissue culture and rats.

Molecular genetics of human disease. Projects included:

  • Delineation and characterisation of mutations in the factor IX gene of haemophilia B patients.
  • Analysis of the pattern of germline mutations, mutation rates and evolutionary conservation in humans by population-based molecular genetic studies.
  • Development of PCR and sequencing techniques for DNA and RNA diagnostics, RFLP analysis and direct carrier testing.

Genome organisation of Bovidae. Projects included:

  • Isolation and characterisation of centromeric and interspersed repetitive DNA sequences from cattle and sheep.
  • Characterisation of Robertsonian translocations in cattle by in situ hybridisation using centromeric probes.
  • Development of comparative physical gene maps for cattle, sheep, goat and deer by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using ovine bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones.
  • Development of low cost methodologies for parentage testing in cattle and sheep.

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Genome mapping in Bovidae. Projects include:

  • Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in cattle for meat quality, particularly fat and muscle metabolic traits.
  • Isolation and characterisation of genes involved in ruminant lipid metabolism and deposition.
  • Isolation and characterisation of genes involved in cattle net feed efficiency.
  • Development of molecular marker techniques for livestock applications.

Genetics of lipid metabolism in cattle. Projects include:

  • Analysis of the fatty acid composition in the phospholipids and triacylglycerols of muscle and adipose tissues in different cattle breeds.
  • Delineation of carotenoid uptake and deposition in bovine adipose tissue.
  • Elucidation of genetics controlling intramuscular fat variation in cattle breeds.
  • Determination of effects of vitamin A on adipogenesis in Bovidae.
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor Identification of a recessive genetic mutation causing a female sub-fertility in a herd of Limousin cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rachael Louise Hofmeyer
    2022 Co-Supervisor Mapping and identification of candidate genes controlling fat related production traits in cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Junpeng Yao
    2020 Co-Supervisor Effects of colostrum intake on fertility and milk production in dairy cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Rebel Skirving
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2017 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Investigation into the genetic basis of bovine horn development Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Johanna Ellen Aldersey
    2017 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Transfer of Colostrum Components to Newborn Calves Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Hue Thi Do
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor KIT Mutations in Australian Canine Mast Cell Tumours and Correlations with Patient Prognostic Factors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Vanessa Tamlin
    2015 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Application of whole genome sequencing to Australia-wide collections of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from companion animals and commensal E. coli from pigs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Amanda Kidsley
    2013 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Genetic diversity and measuring genetic parameters for economically import traits in Zambian cattle Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Ellison Musimuko
    2012 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Isolation and Characterisation of Tannin-Resistant Bacteria from the Rumen of Feral Goats and Camels Master of Science Master Full Time Ms Anita Sardiana Tjakradidjaja
    2011 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Progressing a Scoring Scheme for Intervertebral Disc Clacification Screening in Dachshund Dogs Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Dr Alana Rosenblatt
    2009 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Molecular Genetics of Residual Feed Intake and Mitochondrial Function in Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Nadiatur Akmar Zulkifli
    2007 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Molecular Genetics of Cattle Muscularity Master of Agricultural Science Master Full Time Ms Irida Novianti
    2007 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Genomic Approach to Understanding Variation in Bovine Fat Colour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Rugang Tian
    2007 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Consequences of Selection for Residual Feed Intake Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr David Lines
    2007 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Quantitative Trait Loci and Genes Affecting Beef Tenderness Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Lei Yao Chang
    2006 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Genetic Independence of Fat Depots in Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Andrew Egarr
    2004 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Molecular Characterisation of Primary Wool Follicle Initiation in Merino Sheep Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Hayley McGrice
    2003 - 2008 Principal Supervisor Identification and Characterization of Genetic Markers and Metabolic Pathways Controlling Net Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Madan Naik
    2003 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Multiple Trait Analysis for Genetic Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Carcass and Beef Quality Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Ali Esmailizadeh Koshkoih
    1999 - 2003 Co-Supervisor Genetics of Growth and Development in Cattle Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Raphael Afolayan
    1998 - 2004 Co-Supervisor Genomics of Feed Efficiency for Livestock Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Michelle Hebart
    1998 - 2002 Principal Supervisor DISCOVERY, ANALYSIS, AND UTILITY OF BOVINE SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Gabrielle Sellick
    1995 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Comparative Analysis of Two Attachment Variants of Butyrivibrio Fibrisolvens Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Djarot Sasongko Hami Seno

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