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Partnership to advance broiler genetics RESEARCH to identify innovative ways to improve avian health and to develop technologies to understand and preserve current and heritage poultry genomes is set to benefit from almost US $1 million in funding from an international poultry genetics company. Cobb-Vantress, a poultry research company engaged in the development, production and sale of broiler breeder stock, has entered a three-year research agreement with the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh. Under the agreement, researchers will investigate DNA markers in the avian genome, targeting what are described as ‘some of the more difficult to select for traits’. These include avian immunity, disease tolerance and disease resistance. Work will 264 | Veterinary Record | March 15, 2014

also be conducted to develop new technology that will allow pedigree or heritage lines of poultry to be maintained without the need to physically maintain the bird stock. ‘These are exciting new areas which we hope will lead to major breakthroughs in avian health and preservation,’ said Christine Daugherty, chief technology officer with the company. ‘Cobb has an extensive gene pool and to be able to better understand the poultry genome will be critical to meeting future demands for poultry products. We’re always striving to breed more robust chickens that will withstand disease and environmental challenges. We’re looking for birds with greater immunity to diseases or with the ability to tolerate disease without affecting their performance.’

Mitch Abrahamsen, vice-president of research and development, added that the new partnership was a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for the company to continue a close relationship with the Roslin Institute and the National Avian Research Facility (NARF), which recently opened a facility at University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush campus with a focus on poultry research (VR, September 21, 2013, vol 173, p 260). David Hume, director of the Roslin Institute, commented: ‘The joint partnership with Cobb is an excellent example of the kind of industrial interactions that allow the Roslin Institute’s research to drive sustainable improvements in animal health and livestock productivity.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.g2099

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Partnership to advance broiler genetics

Veterinary Record 2014 174: 264

doi: 10.1136/vr.g2099 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/11/264.2

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Partnership to advance broiler genetics.

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