Efficient combination of QTL detection and introgression schemes in aquaculture

Ane Skjelfjord

Prosjektleder: Theo Meuwissen

Del av Forskningsrådsprosjekt styrt fra AKVAFORSK v/Anna Sonesson.

Principal objective and sub-goals
Develop and validate DNA marker based strategies to simultaneously detect and introgress genes coding for economically desirable traits from wild fish populations into the genomes of cultured fish populations, while minimising the genetic lag between top nucleus breeding stock and stocks that come from the introgression programme.

Sub goals:
* Optimise QTL detection schemes in crossbred fish populations
* Optimise introgression schemes of QTL from a wild population into a cultured population
* Combine QTL detection and introgression schemes
* Combine QTL detection/introgression schemes with selection schemes for breeding goal traits
* Optimise intercrossing schemes of backcrossed fish populations

Project summary
The commercial Norwegian fish production constantly needs to optimise and improve all parts of the system to continue to be in the forefront of growing international competition. One vital part of the production system is the genetics of the breeding material that it utilises. Most fish populations still have wild ancestors, which make it possible to introgress valuable traits/genes from these populations to commercial breeding populations. The aim of this project is to develop and validate DNA marker based strategies to simultaneously detect and introgress valuable genes from wild fish populations into the genomes of cultured fish populations, while minimising the genetic lag between top nucleus breeding stock and stocks that come from the introgression programme. Only the desired part of the genome of the wild population should be introgressed into that of the commercial population, whilst the remaining genome of the commercial population should be kept as much as possible intact, and whilst the genetic lag for other economically important traits should be minimal. We will develop a method that combines detection of quantitative traits loci (QTLs) and introgression schemes in order to shorten the time between the detection of the QTL and introgression. This approach will save genotyping costs, monitor the gene effects continuously, and minimise the genetic lag with the very best nucleus breeding stocks. The method will be tested in computer simulations of fish genomes.

Oppdatert: 04.03.05
Utskriftsvennlig versjon : Arkiv : Tips en venn