Leveraging genomics to accelerate genetic improvement in aquaculture

Selective breeding represents an efficient approach to increase production of aquaculture species, by means of improving traits, such as rapid growth, product quality and disease resistance. Genomic information can be used to accelerate the genetic progress for traits which are difficult to measure on the selection candidates themselves (i.e. genomic selection). Genomic resources such as reference genome sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genotyping panels have been developed and used to speed up genetic progress for several aquaculture species. Here we focused on the current achievements on the application of genomic technologies for selective breeding aquaculture species, including salmon, trout, tilapia, shrimp, among others. The potential application of whole-genome resequencing and meta-analysis for the identification of functional causative variants, and their impact on enhancing selective breeding will be also addressed. 

Speaker:

Dr. José M. Yáñez
Associate Professor, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University of Chile