Objective I will analyze the changes in the genome of the pig during speciation, domestication and selection at the molecular level. Domestication and selection have resulted in a large number of distinct breeds worldwide with very distinct characteristics. Unique are also the availability of 12 closely related pig species that have diverged over a time span of 1 to 10 million years. Furthermore, the availability of a high quality genome sequence of the pig by the end of 2009 and the recent advances in next generation sequencing technology makes the SelSweep proposal extremely timely. Within the SelSweep project I will explore the genes and genomic regions that are and have been under strong selection during speciation, early domestication and during subsequent development of specific breeds in the pig. The results of the project will substantially advance our knowledge of evolutionary biology at the molecular level. Moreover, knowledge about the genes affected by selection opens up new directions for further improvement of this important livestock species. The direct sequencing of individuals from a variety of populations using next generation sequencing enables an unbiased capture of the full breadth of genetic variation in the porcine genome addressing both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as copy number variants (CNVs). The analysis will be done using a previously established porcine HapMap population consisting of domestic breeds from China, Europe and the US, wild boar populations from across the world as well as museum samples representing ancient pig populations. Also included in the panel are other Suidae enabling the identification of the ancestral alleles further strengthening the identification of selective sweeps in the porcine genome. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnucleotidesagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandrynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS9 - ERC Advanced Grant - Applied life sciences and biotechnology Call for proposal ERC-2009-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY EU contribution € 2 496 381,00 Address DROEVENDAALSESTEEG 4 6708 PB Wageningen Netherlands See on map Region Oost-Nederland Gelderland Veluwe Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Martinus Antonius Mathilda Groenen (Prof.) Administrative Contact Geurt Heimensen (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY Netherlands EU contribution € 2 496 381,00 Address DROEVENDAALSESTEEG 4 6708 PB Wageningen See on map Region Oost-Nederland Gelderland Veluwe Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Martinus Antonius Mathilda Groenen (Prof.) Administrative Contact Geurt Heimensen (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
