From sequence to consequence: Genomic selection to expand and improve selective breeding for the eastern oyster

Authors: GUO, XIMING - Rutgers University; ALLEN, STANDISH - Virginia Institute Of Marine Science; Proestou, Dina; ALLAM, BASSEM - Stony Brook University; GOMEZ-CHIARRI, MARTA - University Of Rhode Island; HARE, MATTHEW - Cornell University; LIU, MING - Morgan State University; LOTTERHOOS, KATIE - Northeastern University; PLOUGH, LOUIS - University Of Maryland; PURITZ, JONATHAN - University Of Rhode Island; RAWSON, PAUL - University Of Maine; SMALL, JESSICA - Virginia Institute Of Marine Science; WIKFORS, GARY - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); WILBUR, AMI - University Of North Carolina-Wilmington

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Eastern oyster supports an important aquaculture industry along the east coast of the United States. The sustainable development of eastern oyster farming depends on continued improvement of cultured stocks through advanced breeding technologies. The Eastern Oyster Breeding Consortium (EOBC) was formed to advance genetics and breeding of the Eastern oyster for the aquaculture industry. Members of EOBC have developed oyster strains with improved disease resistance through selective breeding and sequenced the Eastern oyster genome. In this project funded by NOAA Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the consortium seeks to accelerate and expand eastern oyster breeding for all growing regions on the east coast by developing, testing, and verifying genome-based breeding. The project is developing a high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for efficient genotyping. The SNP array will be used to characterize selected lines and establish genotype-phenotype association for key production traits such as resistance/tolerance of diseases, low-salinity tolerance, and ocean acidification and hypoxia. The array will be used to implement genomic selection at several breeding programs. Lines produced by genomic selection and traditional breeding will be evaluated in seven states along the Atlantic coast to identify best performing stocks for each region. The development and implementation of these tools are expected to accelerate genetic improvement of the Eastern oyster, by streamlining the breeding process, increasing selection precision, lowering long-term costs and enabling advanced breeding across the region. The project has begun whole-genome resequencing for SNP discovery and array design. Latest results will be presented and discussed.