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GENETICS
Genes and Markers for Resistance

The Genes and Markers programme is aimed at providing tools for breeding animals that are more genetically resistant to Johne’s disease. There is evidence that suggests that some animals are more resistant to the disease than others, so knowledge of genetic control of susceptibility and resistance offers a potential method for future control of Johne’s disease.

Central to the JDRC genetic programme is the coordinated collation of a database and tissue archive from Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infected animals. Collection of databases for dairy cattle and deer were completed in 2011. Researchers identified and sampled over 3000 animals infected with Johne’s disease and stored their DNA in the archive. The archive is valuable resource from which genetic information can be recovered.

Dr Mackintosh of AgResearch is publishing findings from a field study examining the response of genetic markers to MAP infection in deer that potentially signal resistance (R) or susceptibility (S). In the study ~250 genes of interest were identified, by their differing response to infection in R and S animals. 

JDRC funded genetic studies at Otago University are coming to an end in 2011.  The study has provided fundamental information about genetic responses in individual cells in response to infection with MAP. The findings suggest that R and S animals behave differently at a cellular level when challenged with the bacteria. 

Working together this information is intended to help in the selection of superior breeding stock, by identifying genes that may drive the desired trait of Johne’s disease resistance.

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Prof Frank Griffin of Otago University and Dr Colin Mackintosh of AgResearch.


Dr Richard Spelman at LIC (pictured) and Dr Allan Crawford of AgResearch were tasked with assembling DNA databases for dairy cattle and deer.

 
 

Progress Report

(Oct 2011)

Work has begun genotyping the Dairy archive to look for potential SNP’s of interest for breeding purposes. 

JDRC funded candidate gene and molecular marker studies have finished in 2011. Field study results indicate that resistance to Johne's disease may be highly heritable in deer (More - Pages 22-23)

         
 
 
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