24 Nov 2008 13:30
Unit:
Wageningen University
Location:
Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation:
Wageningen University
Promotor:
prof.dr. H.F.J. Savelkoul (Cell Biology and Immunology)
Promotor:
Prof.dr. A. Pilarczyk (?)
Co Promotor:
Dr.ir. G. Wiegertjes, Dr. I. Irnazarow (?)
Diseases are an important problem in aquaculture and selection aimed at genetic disease resistance can help to improve semi-intensive carp farming. Major histocompatibility (MH) genes are important for protective immunity. Their high variability makes these genes excellent candidates for associations with disease resistance. There are two major groups of MH class II DAB genes in carp (DAB1 and DAB3). Sequence information, transcription and co-segregation data indicated that both groups represent functional genes. A molecular technique able to detect differences in single DNA strands was optimized and showed the DAB1 group of MH genes to be most variable, a prerequisite for successful genetic selection programmes. This finding, together with significant associations between particular DAB1 genotypes and differences in resistance to important parasites and viruses, support the use of MH class II DAB1 genes as genetic marker in future breeding programmes of carp.
Title thesis: “Major histocompatibility (MH) polymorphism of common carp. Link with disease resistance”