Accelerated genetic improvement of key traits in farmed Atlantic salmon via transplantation of in vitro propagated germline stem cells

The project aims to address sustainability challenges in the Norwegian Atlantic salmon farming industry. To ensure a sustainable growth in the industry, issues such as high mortality caused by diseases, and genetic introgression from farmed escapees to wild populations, need to be solved. Selective breeding for disease resistance, and developing sterile production fish, are important for addressing these challenges. However, progress is limited by the long generation time of salmon, the complexity of targeting multiple traits in the breeding goal, and the technical challenge of breeding genetically sterile salmon. Here, we will combine in vitro propagation of salmon germ cells in combination with surrogate broodstock technology to establish a toolbox of salmon-specific protocols that can be applied by the industry to accelerate the genetic improvement of key production traits, and to develop sterile production animals. Protocols will be developed for germ cell enrichment, propagation and gene editing in three-dimensional cell culture systems, germ cell cryopreservation and transplantation into sterile surrogates that will carry the donor-derived selected traits to the next generation. Combining these technologies is a powerful addition to existing breeding programs, allowing more efficient selection and upscaled production of key genetic traits to overcome sustainability challenges.

The project aims to address sustainability challenges in the Norwegian Atlantic salmon farming industry. To ensure a sustainable growth in the industry, issues such as high mortality caused by diseases, and genetic introgression from farmed escapees to wild populations, need to be solved. Selective breeding for disease resistance, and developing sterile production fish, are important for addressing these challenges. However, progress is limited by the long generation time of salmon, the complexity of targeting multiple traits in the breeding goal, and the technical challenge of breeding genetically sterile salmon. Here, we will combine in vitro propagation of salmon germ cells in combination with surrogate broodstock technology to establish a toolbox of salmon-specific protocols that can be applied by the industry to accelerate the genetic improvement of key production traits, and to develop sterile production animals. Protocols will be developed for germ cell enrichment, propagation and gene editing in three-dimensional cell culture systems, germ cell cryopreservation and transplantation into sterile surrogates that will carry the donor-derived selected traits to the next generation. Combining these technologies is a powerful addition to existing breeding programs, allowing more efficient selection and upscaled production of key genetic traits to overcome sustainability challenges.