The Roslin Institute's discovery of the genetic code could help breed larger and healthier mussels. The knowledge gained from a series of studies on the DNA of the European flat oyster could serve as the basis for selective breeding approaches for the rare shellfish to improve food security and sustainability.Roslin Institute scientists have developed extensive genetic resources detailing oyster DNA and used them to address the conservation, restoration and aquaculture challenges facing the species.The researchers found that two regions of the oyster genome are significantly associated with faster growth. Image Genomic information to inform breeding programmesIncorporating genomic information into breeding programmes could be a cost-effective way to improve growth traits such as weight and shell size in oysters, the scientists said.Another study led by scientists at the University of Santiago de Compostela and involving Roslin experts found that variations in a region of oyster DNA can be linked to tolerance to a deadly parasite.High-quality reference genomeTo understand all the genetic information in their studies, the researchers decoded the complete DNA code of the European flat oyster. Two high-quality reference genomes were created separately at the chromosome level by the Roslin team and scientists at Sorbonne University in France.Both genomes were published in Evolutionary Applications and are already being used extensively by oyster researchers in Europe. Image Growth traitsThe scientists analysed the genome of the European flat oyster to look for variation and to assess whether growth traits are under genetic control and therefore could be improved through selective breeding. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Genetics, shows that it is possible to genetically improve growth traits in oysters.Parasite toleranceIn a separate study, the scientists compared the genome of oysters that had not been exposed to the deadly parasite Bonamia ostreae with that of long-term infested populations. The team examined regions of the oyster genome previously associated with resistance to the parasite and found one region associated with resistance to the parasite. The study was published in Evolutionary Applications.Oysters were once a plentiful source of food and a mainstay of the Scottish people, but have long been in decline. Our studies, in collaboration with UK and European academics, industry, environmental charities, and government scientists, used genomics and genetic tools to help inform breeding strategies of the native European flat oyster.Our results could contribute to sustainable food production, as oysters have among the lowest environmental impact of any animal protein production.Dr Tim Bean, Oyster research expert, Roslin InstituteRelated LinksThe Roslin InstituteThe Roslin Institute - AquacultureTim Bean ProfileChromosome-level reference genome for European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) publicationRapid testing system to detect oyster diseasesDisease and environment drive adaptation in bivalves Publication date 03 Nov, 2022
