Pig Genome Update No. 9angenmap@db.genome.iastate.eduNovember 1, 1994 |
Successful NC-210 and NRSP-8 meetings were held in late September. The NC-210 "Mapping the Pig Genome" meeting was attended by representatives from Iowa State University ( Max Rothschild and Chris Tuggle), Kansas State University (Deryl Troyer), University of Missouri (Michael Misfeldt), University of Minnesota (Larry Schook and Mike Murtaugh), Oklahoma State University (Archie Clutter), and USDA at Beltsville (Joan Lunney). In addition, representatives from PiGMaP, Alan Archibald (Scotland) and Joel Gellin (France) and industry representatives from Farmers Hybrid (Hal Sellers) and the National Pork Producers Council (David Meeker) also attended. A number of interesting results were presented during the station reports. These results included a large number of genes mapped on several chromosomes (Iowa State), the identification of additional possible chromosome 6 markers (Minnesota and USDA/Beltsville), possible QTLs for growth (Iowa State, Oklahoma State), a major gene for litter size (Iowa State University), a new method to physically map genes (Kansas State) and identification of T cell genes (Missouri). Details on these results can be found in the station reports. Alan Archibald gave an overview of the PiGMaP collaboration and Joel Gellin gave an overview of the French gene mapping progress. The coordination report highlighted developments in the database (see below) and sharing of microsatellites (see below). As part of the business meeting a couple of items were discussed including terminating NC-210 since it overlapped with the swine gene mapping committee of NRSP-8. It was decided that there was no support for termination of NC-210 at this time.
The NRSP-8 meeting started off with two very interesting talks, one by Dr. Steven Bates, having to do with automated genotyping and the second by Dr. Harry Orr on determining genetic basis for a human disorder. After those presentations, reports on the databases by Alan Hillyard and reports from the species chairs were presented. This past year has been a very successful one for producing and enlarging the genetic maps and for the beginning of discovery of QTLs. Following the NRSP-8 meeting a chromosome 6 workshop was held. Those attending the closed meeting reported it was successful. Reports can be obtained from the University of Minnesota. Of importance is the setting of meeting dates and electing officers for NC-210 and NRSP-8. Dr. Susan Lamont (ISU) will be the new chair and Dr. Margaret Dentine (Wisconsin) will be the new secretary of the overall NRSP-8. For NC-210 Dr. Joan Lunney will serve as chair and Dr. Chris Tuggle will serve as the secretary. The combined NC-210 and NRSP-8 meetings will be on Oct. 26-27, 1995 (see meeting schedules).
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New developments in the database were one of the highlights of the meeting. The swine database has now over 230 references. Co-editorship by Drs. Archibald and Rothschild has been very effective. USPIGBASE, will now be called PIGBASE, in keeping with its international collaboration efforts. Dr. Hillyard demonstrated the improvements he has made in bringing the databases up to a more sophisticated level. The release of the new features and maps are available now. Of special interest is the PIGBASE Managers. Although still under development, it is amazing to look at the beautiful linkage and cytological maps together (see attached examples). Be sure to get Mosaic for your computing systems. The easiest way to get to the database and other useful information is to use the address http://www.genome.iastate.edu. This WWW information has been expanded greatly by the work of Dr. Lizhen Wang, who has been working closely with the U.S. and PiGMaP coordinators.
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A total of 175 microsatellites are now available for mapping and QTL work in the pig. At this point 14 labs have requested these materials. More will be chosen this year by a committee of Drs. Lunney, Kirkpatrick, Troyer, Tuggle and Rothschild. The goal will be to produce another 125 markers to reach a total of 300 microsatellite markers for gene mapping.
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Human Genome 1994 was held in Washington, D. C., October 2-5, 1994. This meeting highlighted the progress made in the last few years in detailing the human genome map. Several of the talks at the meeting were also highlighted in that week's issue of Science (265: 2031-55, 1994) with the centerfold displaying the genetic linkage map for all human chromosomes. Drs. D. Cohen, Paris, F. Collins, NIH, and J. Murray, IA each showed the progress of the linkage maps developed worldwide and noted that few new markers are now needed for the human map since most chromosomes have detailed (l cM) maps now developed. Posters were submitted by several chromosome committees and reemphasized this point as they illustrated that 95-99% of the euchromatin of their chromosome are covered now by overlapping cosmids and YACs with STS markers associating the linkage map, the known genes, and the cosmids and YACs. Posters and plenary presentations illustrated the success that the human genome program has engendered with mapping disease genes, e.g., those associated with human breast, colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Venter quickly presented the progress that TIGR, Gaithersburg, MD, has had with preparing cDNA maps of genomes from different organisms and noted that Email requests will be processed for more detailed information. Other issues including patent and ethical issues were discussed in the plenary sessions as well as panel discussion sessions (submitted by J. Lunney, who attended).
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October was Pork Month. With the recent surplus of pork you can help support the industry by eating a few more chops etc.!
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Your ideas on ways to use coordinating funds are appreciated. Last year (ending September 30) our CSRS budget was $103,000 and expenditures included $35,170 for microsatellites, $10,436 for mailing, conference support, and office expenditures, $12,858 for travel, $11,137 for computer equipment, and $41,881 for salaries for technical help. In addition, Iowa State University contributed approximately $150,000 in salaries, materials, faculty costs and cost sharing. Please share your ideas for the future budgets with me as soon as possible. We can support open conferences and items that benefit all labs, not individual or group research projects. All expenditures must meet the legal requirements for regional research funds.
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Meeting dates for 1994-95 include the following:
National Swine Improvement Federation meeting, Des Moines, IA, Dec. 4-6, 1994 Gordon Conference on Quantitative Genetics and Biotechnology, Ventura, CA, Feb. 12-17, 1995 AAAS annual meeting, Atlanta, GA, Feb. 16-21, 1995 Biotechnology's role in the Genetic Improvement of Farm Animals, Beltsville, MD, May 14-17, 1995 4th Int. Veterinary Immunology Symposium, Davis, CA, July 16-21, 1995 **see flyer** 9th North American Colloquium on Domestic Animal Cytogenetics and Gene Mapping, College Station,TX, July 18-21, 1995 American Society of Animal Science Meeting, Orlando FL, July 25-28, 1995 Swine in Biomedical Research: 1995 Animal Models, College Park, MD Oct. 22-25, 1995 NC-210 and NRSP-8, College Park, MD Oct. 26-27, 1995
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The PORK LEADER LETTER, published by NPPC is available to interested individuals. To receive it please write P.O. Box 10383, Des Moines, IA 50306 or call 515-223-2600 and be added to the mailing list.
Contributions to Pig Genome Update 10 are always welcome. Please send by the 20th of December.
Hope to see many of you at meetings this Fall or to be of help if you need some.
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Max Rothschild
U.S. Pig Genome Coordinator
2255 Kildee Hall, Department of Animal Science
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: 515-294-6202, Fax: 515-294-2401
mfrothsc@iastate.edu
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