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GEroNIMO: Genome and Epigenome eNabled breedIng in MOnogastrics

Project description

Innovative genome- and epigenome-enabled breeding selection

Sustainable animal breeding should ensure efficient resource use and animal health and welfare, while preserving genetic diversity. The EU-funded GEroNIMO project will provide new knowledge and tools to promote innovative genome- and epigenome-enabled selection methods for traits related to production efficiency, productive longevity, fertility, resilience and welfare. The initiative will build on current knowledge, analysing chicken and pig populations to quantify the contribution of genetic and epigenetic variation in gene expression, trait variation and trade-offs between traits. Researchers will characterise breeds phenotypically, genetically and epigenetically under different environments to identify underlying biological mechanisms affecting trait variation. They will also develop techniques for improving selection by integrating genetic and non-genetic factors and strategies for conserving genetic and epigenetic diversity.

Objective

To face human population growth, increasing environmental constraints and changes in socio-cultural values, animal breeding must evolve toward a more sustainable model that guarantees production while promoting efficient resource use, animal health and welfare, and preserving genetic diversity. Thanks to recent developments in omics technologies, it is now possible to rethink breeding, taking advantage of improved knowledge on genome-to-phenome relationships that accounts for both genetic and non-genetic mechanisms controlling traits. GEroNIMO will work on chicken and pig, the most used sources of animal protein worldwide, to provide breeders with new knowledge and tools to promote innovative genome- and epigenome enabled selection methods for traits related to production (quantity and quality), efficiency, productive longevity, fertility, resilience and welfare. A large number of animals from cosmopolitan and local breeds will be characterized phenotypically, genetically and epigenetically under different environments to i) identify underlying biological mechanisms affecting trait variation, ii) develop methods to improve selection strategies integrating genetic- and non-genetic factors, and iii) propose strategies to optimize the conservation of genetic and epigenetic diversity. GEroNIMO proposes demand-driven innovation employing a multi-actor approach through the involvement of breeders, professional associations of animal production, and scientists, engaged from the planning phase to the dissemination of results over Europe. GEroNIMO will build on existing academic and commercial knowledge and will analyze large populations to quantify the contribution of genetic and epigenetic variation in gene expression, trait variation and trade-offs between traits. GEroNIMO will also propose a comprehensive and enhanced characterization of diversity by integrating epigenetic diversity into conservation purposes, corresponding to a new integrated conservation strategy.

Call for proposal

H2020-SFS-2018-2020

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Sub call

H2020-SFS-2020-2

Coordinator

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT
Net EU contribution
€ 1 434 266,25
Address
147 RUE DE L'UNIVERSITE
75007 Paris
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost
€ 1 434 266,25

Participants (22)