ARP- FTFIL for Genomics to Improve Poultry (UC Davis)

This five-year program seeks to genetically enhance resistance to NDV infection and heat stress in chicken, and to develop a plan for breeding the improved chicken, to increase production of eggs and chicken meat production, thereby improving human nutrition and food security in Africa and other developing countries.Description of Activities: Renovate and customize poultry research facilities at the University of Ghana and Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania; Train lab technicians, graduate students and program staff; Collect and breed three ecotypes of chickens for Ghana and Tanzania research programs;Acquire birds for US research trials; Facilitate program review by the Research Advisory Committee;Run NDV challenge trails at UCD, ISU, SUA and UOG; and heat stress trial at UCD; Collect DNA and RNA from trials, and initiate analysis of phenotypes;Isolate high quality RNA from inbred lines in US and submit sequencing.