Project description
Uncovering genetic admixture patterns in cattle
What type of foreign genetic elements can improve domestic species? This is the question tabled by the EU-funded BOSADMIX project. Focusing on Bos, the genus of wild and domestic cattle, it will investigate the evolutionary dynamics of genetic elements that cross the species barrier. It will do so by checking the interplay between admixture and selection occurring during the domestication process, hence providing important comparative insights into domestication itself. The project will bring together a large set of complete genomes and use a combination of population genetic and comparative genomic methods. One main goal of the project is to systematically map the interspecies admixture among seven Asian Bos species, and determine whether introgressed elements benefit recipient populations.
Objective
Background
Genetic exchange across species boundaries is emerging as a much more common phenomenon than previously assumed. This introduces potentially adaptive genetic variation into recipient populations. Such interspecies admixture is believed to have played an important role in domestication events, particularly in members of the Bos genus, which uniquely harbours no fewer than five independently domesticated lineages. Understanding these independent, yet reticulated evolutionary events is of fundamental interest for managing the genetic resources of domestic and wild bovids.
Objectives
I propose to investigate the role of interspecies admixture in domestication through four linked topics. The first is to systematically map the interspecies admixture among seven Asian Bos species, and to determine whether introgressed elements have been beneficial to the recipient populations. The second is to identify genes that have been under strong selection in each independent domestication process. The third is to link adaptively introgressed genomic elements with phenotypic effects. The fourth will address the future of genetic resources in all Asian Bos.
Methods
The project will bring together a large set of complete genomes and use a combination of population genetic and comparative genomic methods. Phenotypic data and experiments will be performed to validate the phenotypic effects of key introgressed elements and genes under selection during the domestication process.
Expected outcome and importance
The project will improve our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of genetic elements that cross the species barrier, in particular the interplay between admixture and the domestication process. It will also provide important insights into the domestication process itself. A joint understanding of these processes is crucial for assessing which types of foreign genetic elements that can be useful for genetic improvement of domestic species.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science domestic animals animal husbandry
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.