Project Number: 3635-31320-008-17
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 29, 2008
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
A. Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms segregating in a F2 population that are responsible for susceptibility of Marek¿s disease. B. Identifying alternative single nucleotide polymorphisms conferring resistance to Marek¿s disease. These can be used through marker-assisted selection to improve genetic resistance in chicken breeder lines.

Approach:
Michigan State University (MSU) will provide assistance in producing the F2 resource population by crossing inbred line 63 and RCS-M. MSU will also help to conduct the Marek¿s disease virus challenge experiment and prepare DNA samples from blood samples taken from the experimental chickens for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. ADOL and MSU together will determine SNPs that contribute to Marek¿s disease resistance in chicken.