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BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

Genome-wide approaches to the genetic improvement of cattle, pigs and salmon

Awarded: NOK 4.7 mill.

Project Number:

186862

Project Period:

2008 - 2013

Funding received from:

Organisation:

During the last decade, industry, research and funding rganisations have invested considerably into the development of molecular genetic technologies and resources with the expectation that information at the DNA level will lead to faster genetic gain tha n using phenotypic data alone. But as long as we are lacking the strategies and tools for utilising DNA data in large-scale practical breeding programs, these investments will not result in a competitive advantage. The recent dramatic reductions in DNA ma rker genotyping, to as low as 0.06 NOK / genotype, make the resolving of this deficiency urgent. This project seeks to make best use of DNA data in commercial breeding schemes across the species of cattle, pigs and salmon. Firstly, based on previous resea rch, practical software tools will be developed that incorporate the information from genome-wide dense marker genotyping into the estimation of breeding values, and selection for such breeding values is called genome-wide selection (GWS). Secondly, GWS s election steps will be designed for the current breeding schemes. Thirdly, since the use of DNA information radically changes the way we select, completely new breeding strategies will be designed that are tailored to GWS. Fourthly, the best use of DNA in formation will be implemented in the breeding schemes for cattle, pigs and salmon. GWS has the potential to (1) reduce the costs of the breeding scheme; (2) to further the Norwegian tradition of selection for broad breeding goals by removing some limitati ons of traditional selection; and (3) to increase rates of genetic improvement by a higher selection accuracy and speed of turning over generations. In view of these wide-ranging opportunities, the breeding organisations foresee that an effective use of D NA information will be essential in future breeding schemes to secure their competitive position.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram