Summary of the AVIANDIV project
Area of this EC project: Biodiversity, RTD project
project start: 01. 11. 1998
project end: 31. 10. 2000
The overall goal of the project is to experimentally evaluate
strategic questions relating to the assessment of Biodiversity in the
chicken using molecular information that can be measured in various
ways at the DNA level. In the proposed project we will examine the
level of point mutations between and within chicken populations. This
will be relevant as a criterion to assess Biodiversity, and at the
same time it will provide the background to adopt a completely new
technology of DNA chips in poultry populations. Microsatellites are
currently widely accepted as the most powerful tool to characterise
Biodiversity at the molecular level. By collecting large samples from
various breeds we will establish a complex genetic distance matrix to
quantify Biodiversity in chickens based on microsatellites. Although
theoretical studies have been carried out, questions related to the
sampling strategy, number of markers and statistical analysis need
still to be answered experimentally and will be approached in the
proposed project. The project will deepen our understanding of
Biodiversity not only in chickens, but also in comparative aspects by
extending molecular studies of Biodiversity within Non-mammalian
species. The major objectives addressed in the project are as follows:
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To assess Biodiversity in a wide range of 50 chicken breeds using a
set of 25 microsatellites and DNA pools of 50 individuals per breed
for genotyping. This information will give insight in the currently
existing Biodiversity in chickens, and by including commercial lines,
to what extent they compare to unimproved local breeds and the Red
Jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), the progenitor of all chickens. Gene
mapping studies using microsatellites are already well established in
the chicken. Some Participants of our project are far ahead in this
technology to guarantee that the most appropriated markers in chickens
will be used.
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To investigate basic questions to estimate Biodiversity using
microsatellites. Based on (1), 10 breeds representing a wide spectrum
of the dendrogram will be selected for genotyping of 30 individuals
per breed using 50 microsatellite loci. There have been theoretical
studies providing estimates of the number of animals per breed to be
sampled and number of microsatellites to be used. However, these
predictions have not been tested experimentally in chickens to date.
This approach will make possible a detailed analysis of the use of
microsatellites, their size distribution and frequencies, and be of
value to further diversity studies using this type of molecular
marker.
-
To evaluate the level of point mutations in random non-coding DNA
fragments for two reasons: a) to examine the feasibility of adopting
DNA chip technology for the poultry populations and b) to use it as a
criterion for the estimation of Biodiversity between and within
chicken populations. To approach this question we will select 10
breeds and 10 individuals per breed, and we will sequence 10 random
non-coding fragments per individual.
-
To develop a new statistical approach to assess Biodiversity. The
statistical analysis of data to estimate genetic distances between
populations and genetic variability within breeds is not straight
forward and requires specific efforts. So far, no general consensus
exists as to which of the many genetic distance estimates would be the
best for analysis of within-species populations. Experimental data
based on (1), (2) and (3) will provide the basis to determine the most
appropriate method for estimating genetic distances.
-
To establish a chicken DNA collection and BIODIVERSITY database
from the populations sampled for further research within the
Community. A DNA collection of various breeds will extend the basis to
search for further genetic polymorphisms identified in the Chicken
gene mapping project. The BIODIVERSITY database will provide public
access to the information collected and the analytical tools developed
within the project.
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