Acceleration of improvement in health and production of mink through genomics and machine learning

加拿大的水貂业每年为加拿大经济增加10亿多美元。加拿大毛皮业在全国约有6万个工作岗位。通过改善加拿大水貂育种计划中的重要经济性状，如饲料效率、繁殖性能、体型和毛皮质量，这种经济也可以增长（估计每年6000万美元）。我们最近对水貂基因组进行了高质量的测序，这产生了相当数量的单核苷酸多态性（SNP），可用于水貂的基因组研究。在本项目中，我们将使用我们新开发的Affyssin Mink 70 K SNP面板对3，072只水貂进行基因组研究。这将通过达尔豪西大学和加拿大水貂饲养者协会之间的合作来实现。在该项目中，将评估使用人工智能进行基因组选择的潜力。在本项目结束时，将提供最准确的基因组预测和机器学习方法，用于估计水貂感兴趣性状的基因组育种值。这些性状的基因组选择（GS）将提高遗传增益率，从而为水貂业带来更多的利润，正如其他畜牧业所证明的那样。此外，该项目中鉴定的基因可以为标记辅助选择（MAS）计划提供新的机会。因此，本项目的目标是评估GS和MAS在水貂生产系统中的潜力，并开发经济有效的工具，用于实施遗传/基因组选择，以培育上级、高效和健康的动物。该项目将培养高素质的人才，能够开发和应用创新的基因组学和生物信息学方法，用于农业，特别是水貂业。这种方法将有助于改善加拿大水貂业的整体表现，该行业目前由于毛皮价格下降和饲料成本高等几个经济因素而陷入困境。

The mink industry in Canada adds more than $1 billion to the Canadian economy each year. The Canadian fur industry accounts for approximately 60,000 jobs across the country. This economy can also grow (by an estimated $60 million annually) by improving economically important traits in Canadian mink breeding programs such as feed efficiency, reproductive performance, body size and fur quality. We have recently sequenced the mink genome with high quality, and this created a considerable number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that can be used for genomic studies in mink. In this project, genomic studies will be performed using our newly developed Affymetrix Mink 70K SNP panel on 3,072 mink. This will be achieved by partnership between Dalhousie University and Canada Mink Breeders Association. In this project, the potential of genomic selection using artificial intelligence will be evaluated. At the end of this project, the most accurate genome prediction and machine learning methods will be provided for estimating the genomic breeding values of traits of interest in mink. Genomic selection (GS) for these traits would increase the rate of genetic gain resulting in more profits for the mink industry as demonstrated in other livestock industries. In addition, the genes identified in the project could provide new opportunities for marker-assisted selection (MAS) program. Therefore, the objective of this project is to assess the potential of GS and MAS in mink production systems and develop the cost-effective tools for implementation of genetic/genomic selection for development of superior, high efficient and healthy animals. This project will generate highly qualified personnel capable of developing and applying innovative genomics and bioinformatics approaches of use in agriculture industry especially in mink industry. This approach will help improve the overall performance of the Canadian mink industry, which is in difficulty now due to several economic factors such as declining fur prices and high feed costs.