ARS | Publication request: INTEGRATED GENOMIC APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING RESISTANCE TO MAREK'S DISEASE

Submitted to: Animal Genetics International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 13, 2005
Publication Date: July 13, 2005
Citation: Cheng, H.H. 2005. Integrated genomic approaches to understanding resistance to Marek's disease. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Genetics of Animal Health, July 13-15, 2005, Ames, Iowa. p. 24-33.

Technical Abstract: Marek’s disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disease caused by a herpesvirus, the Marek's disease virus (MDV), and the most serious chronic disease concern to the poultry industry. While vaccines with high efficacy are available, unfortunately, they do not prevent viral replication or spread. Consequently, new MDV strains with increased virulence appear periodically and cause disease outbreaks. Genetic resistance to MD is an attractive measure to augment current vaccinal control strategies. To understand the genes and pathways that confer resistance to MD, we have been implementing and integrating various genomic approaches. First, genome-wide scan identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) are being conducted in experimental and commercial resource populations to reveal genomic regions that contain one or more genes conferring genetic resistance. Second, functional genomic scans by gene profiling or virus-host protein-protein interaction screens reveal candidate genes associated with MD resistance. Combining the various approaches allows for synergy and the identification of positional candidate genes. The recent release of the chicken genome sequence, new genomic technologies, and the ability to make defined MDV recombinants enhance our abilities and allow for specific hypothesis testing.