Genomics – applications from bacteria to livestock

International researchers Associate Professor Henrik Christensen and Associate Professor Paul Stothard will present "Genomics – applications from bacteria to livestock".

Tracing of pathogenic members of Pasteurellaceae and E. coli

Associate Professor Henrik Christensen

The University of Copenhagen

The presentation will cover current research with classification of veterinary important bacteria within Pasteurellaceae and investigation of E. coli mainly in relation to poultry disease. Our group has been involved in the naming of new genera such as Mannheimia, Histophilus and Avibacterium. I will show work in progress to propose the new genus Rodentibacter that includes Pasteurella pneumotropica, an opportunistic pathogen of rodent colonies. Analysis of population structures focus on P. multocida and E. coli aiming for prevention and control of the most prevalent and virulent clones involved in infectious diseases. It will be shown how clones of E. coli involved in normal broiler mortality have been traced to unnoticed chronic salpingitis infections of broiler breeders and demonstrated how such clones spread in the hatcher. A project has investigated a new probiotic concept to prevent chicken for being colonized by pathogenic E. coli in the hatcher. Work in progress that traces prevalence of antibiotic resistant and virulent clones of E. coli during the broiler production pyramid will be presented.   
Henrik Christensen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, VetSchool, University of Copenhagen. He holds MSc (biology), PhD and DVSc degrees from the University of Copenhagen. His major research interests are within population genetics and bioinformatics of members of Pasteurellaceae and E. coli.  He is on the editorial board of Avian Pathology, IJSEM and Veterinary Microbiology and chair of the Subcommittee on taxonomy of Pasteurellaceae. 
 

Understanding the molecular basis of traits and improving animal health and efficiency through livestock genomics"

Associate Professor Paul Stothard

The University of Alberta

Whole-genome sequencing, RNA-Seq, and the collection of detailed phenotypic records has allowed us to identify some of the specific DNA variants that underlie important traits in cattle and pigs. The discovery of these genotype-phenotype relationships has increased our understanding of the roles of certain genes and pathways, and has highlighted SNP markers that can be used in genotype-guided breeding programs designed to consider a variety of health and performance traits simultaneously.

Paul Stothard is an Associate Professor in Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science, from The University of Alberta. Dr Stothard completed his PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Alberta. His research interests include bioinformatics and genomics.