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Pig Genome Newsletter #013
Pig Genome Update No. 13
July 1, 1995
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Several meetings of interest have recently been held. The 1995 Beltsville
Symposium was titled "Biotechnology's Role in the Genetic Improvement of Farm
Animals." After Steve O'Brien's keynote talk on genome evolution, the first
session summarized the current status of genome diversity (P. Cunningham), the
international FAO program for germplasm preservation (K. Hammond) and the
USCanadian plans for germplasm preservation (R. Gerrits). At the start of the
next session on Mapping Technologies, C. Beattie reviewed the tremendous
progress in genome map development in the livestock species. He was followed by
talks on chromosome specific libraries (J. Lunney), expressed sequence tags (S.
Lamont), use of RAPD primers in sheep and an overview of sheep genome mapping
in general (J. Medrano), synthesis of linkage and physical maps (J. Womack),
and use of genome maps for analyses of disease resistance associated genes (H.
Lewin). Progress in embryo and gamete technology was highlighted in the next
session with discussions of pig oocyte development (B. Day), preliminary
results on sheep produced via nuclear transfer (I. Wilmut), and clear
separation of male and female sperm using flow cytometry (L. Johnson). R. Wall
discussed progress in mammary gland transgenic gene expression and was followed
by S. Stice's encouraging reports on progress in embryonic stem cell cultures
in livestock and B. Wentworth's discussion of poultry primordial germ cells.
The time for biotechnology-associated regulation development and the
societal/political pressures on these policies were discussed by FDA (S. Bauer)
and FSIS (P. Basu) scientists and by R. Woo from the Center for Food and
Nutritional Policy and R. Zimbleman from the American Society of Animal
Science. The final session on Marker Application started with a lively review
of issues involved in designing protocols for marker assisted selection (J.
Weller). This was followed by discussions of uses of genetic markers in pigs
(L. Andersson), dairy cattle (M. Dentine) and poultry (W. Fairfull). The
session ended with a discussion of the needs for well characterized databases
and information systems in marker- assisted selection strategies (J. Keele) and
potential uses of this information in the "real world" (P. VanRaden). Poster
sessions provided further data on current developments. Overall the sessions
provided uptodate reviews of these rapidly developing areas. A book covering
all the invited talks will be available in early 1996 (kindly provided by J.
Lunney).
National Agricultural Biotechnology Council (NABC) 7, "Genes for the Future:
Discovery, Ownership, Access" was held at the University of MissouriColumbia ,
May 2427, 1995. There were about 135 individuals in attendance including three
people from NRSP8, S. Lamont (National Animal Genome Technical Committee
Chair), J. Womack (Cattle Species Coordinator) and L. Wang (assistant to the
Pig Genome Coordinator), who participated in the meeting. The meeting began
with Plenary Session IGene Mapping and the Political Economy of Agricultural
Research. R. Flavell (Plant research, John Innes Institute, England) and K.
Merrigan (Henry Wallace Institute, MD) gave talks. Flavell's topic of "Gene
Mapping and the Political Economy of Agricultural Research" was very
interesting and was picked up throughout the conference. He addressed social,
economic and ethical issues created by genetic mapping. For instance, consumer
acceptance of transgenic crops may not be straightforward. He stressed that
patenting of genes will inhibit free global flow of germplasm for reutilization
in other breeding programs. He also pointed out several reasons to anticipate
substantial impacts on agricultural science over the decades. For example, the
genetic determination of key traits will become known at the molecular level.
K. Merrigan listed her top 10 topics in view of the "Washington Scene". These
included: bt resistance, agenda setting, accountability, regulatory needs, cost
of research, patent scope, defensive patents, southern neighbors, research
exemptions and university patents. Later, R. Sederoff (Forest Biotechnology
Group, North Carolina State University), J. Tribble (Patent Counsel, Merck &
Company), L. Lamola (US/AID, Washington, D. C.) and J. Solleiro (International
Development Research Center, Mexico), gave presentations in Plenary Session
IIOwnership, Economic, Legal, and Institutional Issues. In Plenary Session
IIIAccess, Public and Private, H. Shands (National Genetics Research Program,
USDA/ARS/NSP) discussed "Access: Bartering and Brokering Genetic Resources." P.
R. Day (AgBiotech Center, Rutgers State University) talked about "The Impact of
Patents on Plant Breeding Using Biotechnology" and J. Kinsman (Farmer,
Wisconsin) addressed "Farmers' Rights: What is Fair." Later J. L. Solleiro
stressed "Intellectual Property Rights: Key to Access or Entry Barrier for
Developing Countries." Keynote Speaker, M. E. Clutter, National Science
Foundation, discussed "Agricultural Biotechnology and the National Agenda."
Following the first three Plenary Sessions, individuals were divided into large
groups to attend one of three workshops. Each workshop had a major topic to
discuss: Workshop A, Research Policy Issues; Workshop B, Competing Rights; and
Workshop C, Role of Governments and Public Institutions. For each topic, issues
were addressed and summary recommendations were made. Workshop results were
summarized and reported in Plenary Session IV. The meeting was closed with
"Tying It All Together" by L. Meagher, Rutgers State University, New Jersey. A
publication will result from this meeting (kindly provided by L. Wang and S.
Lamont).
Automated genotyping for plant and animal research was the central theme of a
symposium and workshop attended by over 120 people at Iowa State University on
June 5 and 6. Several representatives from ABI presented overviews of the new
automated genotyping approaches currently available with existing sequencers
and that will be available with the new capillary type sequencers that will be
available soon. The featured speaker was Dr. Denis Milan, from INRA in
Toulouse, France. Dr. Milan is a member of PiGMaP and is also a user of the
microsatellites provided by the U.S. Pig Genome Coordination effort. Dr. Milan
presented his results using automated genotyping in pigs and also the software
he has developed. Dr. Milan has successfully used hundreds of microsatellites
in an automated genotyping scheme to identify the RN- gene, associated with
meat quality in processed pork. On the second day, participants were able to
see and use some of the genotyping software. Participants at the conference
included a number of people from several pig breeding and AI companies.
QTL research in pigs will be one of the objectives of the proposed new North
Central Region Research project that is being proposed by members of NC-206. At
the recent meeting at VPI researchers in NC-206 revised their project and
discussed collaboration in QTL research and the use of markers provided by the
US Pig Genome Coordination effort. The new project proposal will be submitted
this fall. If approved, this regional project would likely meet in the future
with members of NC-210.
Primers for 271 microsatellites from the three published porcine genetic
linkage maps are available free-of- charge while supplies of aliquoted samples
last. A new set of 97 pairs of primers was made available in May. The primers
come in 10,000 pmole units. If you would like a set, please send me a letter or
e-mail (mfrothsc@iastate.edu). Primers have gone now to over 25 labs worldwide.
Additional aliquots (10,000 pmole) of most of the previous 175 microsatellites
have nearly been depleted. Additional aliquots may be made this Fall depending
on availability of funds and requests. For a list of the microsatellites
available, by chromosome, just go to the http://www.public.iastate.edu/~pigmap.
If you have questions, please contact us.
Database developments include the expansion of more information in our WWW site
for pig gene mapping and in PiGBASE, the international database for the pig
genome. Database usage continues to grow. Easy access exists through our WWW
address (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~pigmap). Ideas for additions or
improvements should be directed to Max Rothschild or Lizhen Wang
(wangl@iastate.edu).
It's not too late to make plans for some interesting Summer and Fall meetings.
These future meetings include:
4th Int. Veterinary Immunology Symposium, Davis, CA, July 16-21, 1995
9th North American Colloquium on Domestic Animal Cytogenetics and Gene Mapping,
College Station,TX, July 18-21, 1995
American Society of Animal Science Meeting, Orlando FL, July 25-28, 1995
Automated genotyping workshop, Minneapolis, MN, September 20-21, 1995
Chromosome 7 workshop, Minnesuing Acres, WI, September 21-24, 1995
International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop, Lexington, KY, October 1820, 1995
Swine in Biomedical Research: 1995 Animal Models, College Park, MD Oct. 22-25,
1995
Don't forget the pig genome meetings associated with the NC-210 and NRSP-8.
They meet in College Park, MD on October 26-27, 1995. For details, please
contact Joan Lunney, the chair of NC-210.
Contributions to Pig Genome Update 14 including short meeting announcements are
always welcome. Please send by the 15th of August.
Max F. Rothschild
U.S. Pig Genome Coordinator
225 Kildee Hall
Department of Animal Science
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: 515-294-6202
Fax: 515-294-2401
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