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Pig Genome Newsletter #009
PIG GENOME UPDATE No. 9
November 1, 1994
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Successful NC-210 and NRSP-8 meetings were held in late September. The NC-210
"Mapping the Pig Genome" meeting was attended by representatives from Iowa
State University (Max Rothschild and Chris Tuggle), Kansas State University
(Deryl Troyer), University of Missouri (Michael Misfeldt), University of
Minnesota (Larry Schook and Mike Murtaugh), Oklahoma State University (Archie
Clutter), and USDA at Beltsville (Joan Lunney). In addition, representatives
from PiGMaP, Alan Archibald (Scotland) and Joel Gellin (France) and industry
representatives from Farmers Hybrid (Hal Sellers) and the National Pork
Producers Council (David Meeker) also attended. A number of interesting results
were presented during the station reports. These results included a large
number of genes mapped on several chromosomes (Iowa State), the identification
of additional possible chromosome 6 markers (Minnesota and USDA/Beltsville),
possible QTLs for growth (Iowa State, Oklahoma State), a major gene for litter
size (Iowa State University), a new method to physically map genes (Kansas
State) and identification of T cell genes (Missouri). Details on these results
can be found in the station reports. Alan Archibald gave an overview of the
PiGMaP collaboration and Joel Gellin gave an overview of the French gene
mapping progress. The coordination report highlighted developments in the
database (see below) and sharing of microsatellites (see below). As part of the
business meeting a couple of items were discussed including terminating NC-210
since it overlapped with the swine gene mapping committee of NRSP-8. It was
decided that there was no support for termination of NC-210 at this time.
The NRSP-8 meeting started off with two very interesting talks, one by Dr.
Steven Bates, having to do with automated genotyping and the second by Dr.
Harry Orr on determining genetic basis for a human disorder. After those
presentations, reports on the databases by Alan Hillyard and reports from the
species chairs were presented. This past year has been a very successful one
for producing and enlarging the genetic maps and for the beginning of discovery
of QTLs. Following the NRSP-8 meeting a chromosome 6 workshop was held. Those
attending the closed meeting reported it was successful. Reports can be
obtained from the University of Minnesota. Of importance is the setting of
meeting dates and electing officers for NC-210 and NRSP-8. Dr. Susan Lamont
(ISU) will be the new chair and Dr. Margaret Dentine (Wisconsin) will be the
new secretary of the overall NRSP-8. For NC-210 Dr. Joan Lunney will serve as
chair and Dr. Chris Tuggle will serve as the secretary. The combined NC-210 and
NRSP-8 meetings will be on Oct. 26-27, 1995 (see meeting schedules).
New developments in the database were one of the highlights of the meeting. The
swine database has now over 230 references. Co-editorship by Drs. Archibald and
Rothschild has been very effective. USPIGBASE, will now be called PIGBASE, in
keeping with its international collaboration efforts. Dr. Hillyard demonstrated
the improvements he has made in bringing the databases up to a more
sophisticated level. The release of the new features and maps are available
now. Of special interest is the PIGBASE Managers. Although still under
development, it is amazing to look at the beautiful linkage and cytological
maps together (see attached examples). Be sure to get Mosaic for your computing
systems. The easiest way to get to the database and other useful information is
to use the address http://www.public.iastate.edu/~pigmap. This WWW information
has been expanded greatly by the work of Dr. Lizhen Wang, who has been working
closely with the U.S. and PiGMaP coordinators.
A total of 175 microsatellites are now available for mapping and QTL work in
the pig. At this point 14 labs have requested these materials. More will be
chosen this year by a committee of Drs. Lunney, Kirkpatrick, Troyer, Tuggle and
Rothschild. The goal will be to produce another 125 markers to reach a total of
300 microsatellite markers for gene mapping.
Human Genome 1994 was held in Washington, D. C., October 2-5, 1994. This
meeting highlighted the progress made in the last few years in detailing the
human genome map. Several of the talks at the meeting were also highlighted in
that week's issue of Science (265: 2031-55, 1994) with the centerfold
displaying the genetic linkage map for all human chromosomes. Drs. D. Cohen,
Paris, F. Collins, NIH, and J. Murray, IA each showed the progress of the
linkage maps developed worldwide and noted that few new markers are now needed
for the human map since most chromosomes have detailed (l cM) maps now
developed. Posters were submitted by several chromosome committees and
reemphasized this point as they illustrated that 95-99% of the euchromatin of
their chromosome are covered now by overlapping cosmids and YACs with STS
markers associating the linkage map, the known genes, and the cosmids and YACs.
Posters and plenary presentations illustrated the success that the human genome
program has engendered with mapping disease genes, e.g., those associated with
human breast, colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Venter quickly presented the
progress that TIGR, Gaithersburg, MD, has had with preparing cDNA maps of
genomes from different organisms and noted that Email requests will be
processed for more detailed information. Other issues including patent and
ethical issues were discussed in the plenary sessions as well as panel
discussion sessions (submitted by J. Lunney, who attended).
October was Pork Month. With the recent surplus of pork you can help support
the industry by eating a few more chops etc.!
Your ideas on ways to use coordinating funds are appreciated. Last year (ending
September 30) our CSRS budget was $103,000 and expenditures included $35,170
for microsatellites, $10,436 for mailing, conference support, and office
expenditures, $12,858 for travel, $11,137 for computer equipment, and $41,881
for salaries for technical help. In addition, Iowa State University contributed
approximately $150,000 in salaries, materials, faculty costs and cost sharing.
Please share your ideas for the future budgets with me as soon as possible. We
can support open conferences and items that benefit all labs, not individual or
group research projects. All expenditures must meet the legal requirements for
regional research funds.
Meeting dates for 1994-95 include the following:
National Swine Improvement Federation meeting, Des Moines, IA, Dec. 4-6, 1994
Gordon Conference on Quantitative Genetics and Biotechnology, Ventura, CA, Feb.
12-17, 1995 AAAS annual meeting, Atlanta, GA, Feb. 16-21, 1995 Biotechnology's
role in the Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals, Beltsville, MD, May 14-17,
1995 4th Int. Veterinary Immunology Symposium, Davis, CA, July 16-21, 1995
**see flyer** 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 Swine in Biomedical Research:
1995 Animal Models, College Park, MD Oct. 22-25, 1995 NC-210 and NRSP-8,
College Park, MD Oct. 26-27, 1995
The PORK LEADER LETTER, published by NPPC is available to interested
individuals. To receive it please write P.O. Box 10383, Des Moines, IA 50306 or
call 515-223-2600 and be added to the mailing list.
Contributions to Pig Genome Update 10 are always welcome. Please send by the
20th of December.
Hope to see many of you at meetings this Fall or to be of help if you need
some.
Max F. Rothschild
National 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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