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Pig Genome Newsletter #011
PIG GENOME UPDATE No. 11
March 1, 1995
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Ideas, exciting new progress and discoveries were the themes of several recent
meetings. These included the NCR-21 Quantitative genetics meeting, the Gordon
Conference on Quantitative and Molecular Genetics and the annual AAAS meeting.
At NCR-21, 21 individuals from 15 groups in the U.S. and Canada discussed
projects that dealt with quantitative genetics and its interface with molecular
genetics for both plants and animals. Some very interesting work on transgenes
and QTL analysis were presented. NCR-21 is one of the oldest regional research
committees in the U.S.
The Gordon Conference on Quantitative Genetics and Biotechnology
met for five days in Ventura, CA and attracted 130 individuals from the
fields of animal, including human, and plant quantitative genetics.
Several areas were covered. In QTL mapping theory, Shaobang Zeng and
Ritsert Jansen presented new methods which extend beyond interval
mapping. Computer software for these new approaches is available from
Shaobang Zeng. Evidence of mapping progress in trees was presented by
Ronald Sederoff. Pat Schnable demonstrated some fine-mapping and
compared differences in recombination rate and their relationship to
physical distances in maize. The second day was devoted to human
genetics and featured Robert Cloninger on some very interesting
investigations into alcoholism and several other personality disorders.
Elizabeth Thompson discussed new statistical approaches to evaluate
human genetic data. Talks concerning quantitative genetics included Daniel
Pomp who discussed QTL in mice for growth traits. William Dietrich
discussed the use of genetic maps to discover disease genes in mice and Max
Rothschild discussed additional developments about a major gene for litter
size in pigs which accounts for about 1 additional pig born per gene
copy. In plants, Torbert Rocheford demonstrated some exciting work with
QTL in maize for a variety of traits. Marlin Edwards presented
information on use of RFLPs to improve sweet corn. Also John Dobley
presented results on QTL mapping in maize and one of its ancestors. New
developments in yeast genetics and how they might impact other genome
research was presented by Ronald Davis. In the developmental genetics
section Ben Bowen presented an excellent discussion on effector and
regulatory genes and new approaches to discover quantitative genes.
Trudy Mackay presented some very interesting results on candidate genes
and bristle number in fruit flies. The last talk by Andrew Clark
concerned epistasis in fruit flies. In all it was an excellent meeting!
The American Association for the Advancement of Science in Atlanta,
GA featured five speakers on the subject of Diversity and Molecular Genetics
in Animal - Science, Policy and Society. The symposium was developed by
Theron Rumsey (USDA) and Bob Zimbelman (ASAS). David Notter (VPI)
discussed aspects of genetic diversity and livestock conservation. Max
Rothschild spoke on gene mapping and marker assisted selection and Joan
Lunney discussed selection for disease resistance. The last two speakers,
Gary Ziehe (U.S. Senate Staffer) and Jim Lauderdale (Upjohn Co.)
discussed policy issues and societal issues related to molecular genetic
research and their use.
If you have interest in any information from these meetings
please feel free to contact me.
Your input is important. We are now making the next round of microsatellites
from those that have been published over the past six months. Choosing them is
an important function and your input is important. We are choosing markers that
fill in the spaces and the ends of the chromosomes. The maps are in the PIGBASE
MANAGERs. By using the WWW address of http://www.public.iastate.edu/~pigmap you
can see those. If you have ideas please send them along. Remember we are
choosing markers to benefit all labs. This year our goal will be to produce
another 125 markers to reach a total of 300 microsatellite markers for gene
mapping and QTL research.
Additions to the database continue. Since the last Pig Genome Update several
new changes have occurred with the database. The PIGBASE map manager now
includes information on the genetic linkage map published by Ellegren et al.
1994 in Genetics 137:1089-1100. When asking for the linkage map be sure to
choose which of the three maps (PiGMaP, USDA, or Uppsala) you wish to view. In
addition to the sex averaged maps which have been available, now sex-specific
maps will be available to examine.
Database travel between the different home pages on WWW have now been made
easier. Now if you connect with the U.S. Pig Genome home page
(http://www.public.iastate.edu/~pigmap) you will notice that there is a place
to transfer to the U.S. Chicken genome home page. Likewise if you connect with
the U.S. Chicken Genome home page you will notice that you can click from there
to the U.S. Pig Genome home page. Also within the U.S. Pig genome home page is
access to many different gene mapping databases.
We are continuing our efforts to provide information from the other mapping
efforts. SheepBase, an informational database that includes mapped loci in
sheep, will soon be available on-line through Internet and WWW. An editorial
committee for SheepBase has been established and includes Grant Montgomery, Tom
Broad (both with AgResearch, New Zealand), Frank Nicholas (University of
Sydney, Australia) and Noelle Cockett (Utah State University, U.S.). The
editorial committee will make policy decisions on the reference and mapping
data held in the database, compile the integrated genetic map and decide on
directions for SheepBase. The committee will also review new data on a regular
basis. In summarizing the ovine genome map as of June, 1994, 235 loci have been
mapped to 24 of the 26 autosomal chromosomes and both sex chromosomes. There
have been no assignments for chromosomes 16 and 26. Of these assignments, 64
loci were mapped using in-situ hybridization, 106 loci using somatic cell
hybrids and 91 loci using linkage analysis in ovine families. (kindly provided
by Noelle Cockett).
A list of publications associated with gene mapping and gene identification are
routinely made available on Angenmap thanks to Dr. Lyman Crittenden. About
every month he sends a list out of recent publications. You can use the search
feature on our home page for Angenmap to retrieve old lists.
Publications of recent interest include the NAGRP Newsletter that Harris Lewin
edits and is published from the University of Illinois. If you want a copy
please contact him. A Genetic Nomenclature Guide, including information on
genomic databases has been published by Trends in Genetics. It has both plant
and animal information. Of interest also is a nice extension publication on pig
gene mapping produced by the University of Minnesota. Authored by Larry Schook,
the publication is designed as an introduction on gene mapping for students and
the public and is available for $2 from the Univ. of MN.
Upcoming Meeting dates for 1995 include the following:
American Society of Animal Science & American Dairy Science Association Midwest
Meetings, April 10-12 Biotechnology's Role in the Genetic Improvement of Farm
Animals, Beltsville, MD, May 14-17, 1995
If you have a meeting to announce please send details! Thanks.
Contributions to Pig Genome Update 12 are welcome. Please send by the 15th of
April.
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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