In the spotlight
Clémence Fraslin – PhD student, SYSAAF - INRA, France.
Scientific supervisor E. Quillet (INRA) and company tutor P. Haffray (SYSAAF)
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
I carry out my PhD research at INRA, under a French Industrial Convention of Formation by the Research, co-funded by the National Association for Research and Technology and SYSAAF (French Poultry and Aquaculture Breeders Association). During my PhD I am involved in the FISHBOOST project, as part of the Work Package 1 "Disease Resistance".
On this package, I work on the resistance of rainbow trout to bacterial cold water disease (BCWD), a major disease in this species. In this work package, we aim at better understanding the genetic architecture of the resistance by detecting QTLs (portion of the genome that is associated with resistance) and finding genetic markers associated with resistance that could help selecting resistant broodstock more efficiently.
For QTL detection, we take advantage of experimental crosses derived from INRA isogenic trout lines previously characterized for opposite resistance to the disease. Experimental infectious challenges were performed at INRA facilities (Jouy en Josas) using either injection of immersion as route of infection. We expect that a comparison between the two routes of infection will bring additional knowledge on the defence mechanisms of fish. The Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh, UK) set up the libraries, using double digest RADseq methodology and BMR Genomics (Italy) sequenced the data. I am working on the bio-informatic and statistical analyses to call fish genotypes and search for QTL.
What fascinates you in this project?
Working with scientists who are experts in genetics and fish breeding and who come from all over Europe is fascinating. We share our work and learn from each other. It is especially interesting for me as I am new in the "genetics and aquaculture world" since I only started my PhD at the end of 2015.
With fish breeders from SMEs or large companies among the partners, the work done in the FISHBOOST project has a direct impact on fish industry and I really feel that I am part of the European aquaculture development and its improvement in sustainability.
Scientific supervisor E. Quillet (INRA) and company tutor P. Haffray (SYSAAF)
What is your contribution to the FISHBOOST project?
I carry out my PhD research at INRA, under a French Industrial Convention of Formation by the Research, co-funded by the National Association for Research and Technology and SYSAAF (French Poultry and Aquaculture Breeders Association). During my PhD I am involved in the FISHBOOST project, as part of the Work Package 1 "Disease Resistance".
On this package, I work on the resistance of rainbow trout to bacterial cold water disease (BCWD), a major disease in this species. In this work package, we aim at better understanding the genetic architecture of the resistance by detecting QTLs (portion of the genome that is associated with resistance) and finding genetic markers associated with resistance that could help selecting resistant broodstock more efficiently.
For QTL detection, we take advantage of experimental crosses derived from INRA isogenic trout lines previously characterized for opposite resistance to the disease. Experimental infectious challenges were performed at INRA facilities (Jouy en Josas) using either injection of immersion as route of infection. We expect that a comparison between the two routes of infection will bring additional knowledge on the defence mechanisms of fish. The Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh, UK) set up the libraries, using double digest RADseq methodology and BMR Genomics (Italy) sequenced the data. I am working on the bio-informatic and statistical analyses to call fish genotypes and search for QTL.
What fascinates you in this project?
Working with scientists who are experts in genetics and fish breeding and who come from all over Europe is fascinating. We share our work and learn from each other. It is especially interesting for me as I am new in the "genetics and aquaculture world" since I only started my PhD at the end of 2015.
With fish breeders from SMEs or large companies among the partners, the work done in the FISHBOOST project has a direct impact on fish industry and I really feel that I am part of the European aquaculture development and its improvement in sustainability.
What are your expectations?
I expect to find new QTLs associated with resistance to BCWD in experimental populations, and to validate relevant genetic markers for selection of more resistant fish in commercial lines.
As my PhD is at the interface between research (with INRA) and French breeding companies (with SYSAAF) the results of my work on the FISHBOOST project will be directly available for breeding companies. They will be able to use those genetic markers to implement resistance in trout breeding programs and to develop the use of within-family breeding value variability to improve the efficiency of breeding schemes.
