Optimising the Delivery of Superior Genetics through Advanced Genomic Selection of Bovine Embryos

该项目将应用先进的育种技术来生产（体内和体外）植入前牛胚胎，从中进行活检，使用单核苷酸多态性阵列（SNP芯片）来询问其基因组组成。目前，对奶牛和肉牛进行基因组筛选是可能的，但对选择的反应受到等待进行基因组选择的小牛妊娠的阻碍。牛胚胎的筛选将通过提前选择时间和减少不需要的小牛的“浪费”来优化上级遗传学的传递和扩增。因此，该项目将把联合收割机先进的胚胎育种技术与最先进的基因组筛选（所谓的植入前遗传诊断）和核作图（将亲本DNA信息与后代的基因组信息结合起来，以提供更多的遗传细节）相结合。该项目将制定最佳牛胚胎活检、冷冻保存和小细胞数量基因组筛选的策略。它将提供新技术可用于更有效地向育种群提供上级遗传的原理证明。

This project will apply advanced breeding technologies to produce (both in-vivo and in-vitro) pre-implantation bovine embryos from which biopsies will be taken to interrogate their genomic makeup using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP chips). It is currently possible to screen dairy and beef cattle genomically, but responses to selection are impeded by waiting for the gestation of the calf on which genomic selection is performed. The screening of bovine embryos will optimise the delivery and amplification of superior genetics by advancing the time of selection and reducing “wastage” of unwanted calves. This project will therefore combine advanced embryo breeding technologies with state-of-the-art genomic screening (so called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), and karyomapping (combining parental DNA information with the offspring's genomic information to provide more genetic detail). The project will develop strategies for optimal bovine embryo biopsy, cryopreservation and genomic screening of small cell numbers. It will provide proof of principle that the new technologies can be used to deliver superior genetics more efficiently to the breeding herd.