Technical Cooperation Project – Genome Analyses and Genomic Selection for the Production Traits in Cattle

By Gilberto Silber Schmidt

Labex Korea – Undertake a pilot project that establishes bioinformatics analyses for the de novo sequencing dataset and genomic selection process for genetic improvement of production traits in cattle. This work will be included an establishment of a pipeline for big genome dataset such as de novo sequencing dataset and its application for looking at genetic diversity such as signature of selection. Finally both parties will collaborate to develop genomic selection pipeline for their research herd to estimate genomic breeding values.

Embrapa’s transgenic soybean produces enzyme to combat the AIDS virus

Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology – A survey of Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology seeks the development of a variety of transgenic soybean that expressing an enzyme capable of preventing infection by the AIDS virus. Using biotechnology techniques, the legume is producing N-cianovirina enzyme with proven efficacy against the virus, which inhibit the replication of HIV by binding to their oligosaccharides (sugars).

Transgenic selection

FAPESP – In order to enhance the development of genetically modified plants in Brazil, researchers from two units of Embrapa (the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, and Coffee, both of them in Brasilia, created a technique to select specific parts of the gene called promoters. These define where, when and under what conditions the desired traits will reveal themselves in plants. The researchers coordinated by Juliana Dantas de Almeida from Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology intended to select the promoters of interest and place them in a catalog for research institutions. The application for a patent for this selected genes modification technique was submitted in April. At present, to develop a genetically modified plant, the researchers use constitutive promoters, meaning that the inserted gene will manifest itself in all parts of the plant and at all stages of its development. The new method makes it possible for the inserted gene to manifest itself only in the endosperm (nutritive tissue produced in seeds) of the fruit of the transformed plant. In the battle against diseases such as coffee berry borer, a beetle that reproduces in the grain of the fruit, for example, the attack would focus on the origin of the problem directly. The resistance gene for the disease would be controlled by a specific promoter that would only fight off the beetle and not other insects that feed on the leaves.

Source and Photo: FAPESP, June 2012
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