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Innovative Management of Animal Genetic Resources (IMAGE)
Project
Project code: FLI-ING-08-Ma-0078
Contract period: 01.03.2016
- 29.02.2020
Purpose of research: Applied research
The aim of IMAGE is to enhance the use of genetic collections and to upgrade animal gene bank management. IMAGE will better exploit DNA information and develop methodologies, biotechnologies, and bioinformatics for rationalising animal genetic resources. It will demonstrate the benefits brought by gene banks to the development of sustainable livestock systems by: enhancing the usefulness of genetic collections to allow the livestock sector to respond to environment and market changes; using latest DNA technology and reproductive physiology for collecting, storing and distributing biological resources; Minimising genetic accidents such as abnormalities or genetic variability tipping points; Developing synergies between ex-situ and in-situ conservation to maximise resources for the future. To this end, the project will involve stakeholders, SME, and academic partners to achieve the following objectives. At the scientific level, the project will: Assess the diversity available in genetic collections; Search for adaptive traits through landscape genetics in local populations; Contribute to elucidate local populations’ and major genes’ history; Identify detrimental variants that can contribute to inbreeding depression; Predict cryobank samples’ reproductive performance; Facilitate the use of collections for genome-assisted breeding. At the technological level, it will develop: Procedures for harmonising gene bank operations and rationalising collections; Conservation and reproductive biotechnologies; A central information system to connect available data on germplasm and genomic collections. At the applied level, it will develop methods and tools for stakeholders to: Restore genetic diversity in livestock populations; Create or reconstruct breeds fitting new environmental constraints and consumer demands; Facilitate cryobanking for local breeds; Define and track breed- based product brands; Implement access and benefit sharing regulations.
Within the framework of the EU project IMAGE (Innovative Management of Genetic Resources), in task WP 6.3 we demonstrated the efficient transfer of a rare trait from the gene bank (blue eggshell color of the Araucana breed) to a contemporary breeding line (high-performing white-legged chicken line). Through marker-assisted introgression, it was possible with traditional breeding using genetic markers to reduce the expected proportion of the donor genome (Araucana) in the second backcross generation from 12.5 % by about one third to 8.1 %. The laying performance of the newly established blue egg layer line with a genetic proportion of the White layer line of more than 90 % is quite similar to the laying performance of the original recipient line. Dierks, C. et al. In ovo genotyping of chicken using DNA isolated from allantoic fluid. In Proceedings of the XVth European Poultry Conference, p. 455, Dubrovnik, Croatia (2018). Dierks, C. et al. Marker-assisted Introgression of Blue Eggshell Color into a White Egg Layer Line. In Proceedings of the 37th International Conference on Animal Genetics, p. 89, Lleida, Spain (2019). Dierks, C. et al. Introgression of blue eggshell colour from a gene bank collection into a White Leghorn breeding line. In Book of Abstracts of the 70th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, Ghent, Belgium, p. 366 (2019). Dierks, C. et al. From Genebank into Breeding Line - An animal model for introgression of blue egg shell color into a White Leghorn line. In Proceedings of the Xth European Symposium on Poultry Genetics, p. 105, Saint-Malo, France (2017). Dierks, C. et al. Marker-assisted Introgression of Blue Eggshell Color into a White Leghorn Line. In Proceedings of the XI European Symposium on Poultry Genetics, p. 77, Prague, Czech Republic (2019).
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal breeding
- Special animal species
- Biotechnology
- Genetic Resources
