FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE SAP30 GENE AND ITS RELATION TO MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT

• Grant number: 19/14876-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 21, 2019
• End date: September 20, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
• Grantee: Bruna Petry
• Supervisor: James e Koltes
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Iowa State University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 17/25119-1 - Evaluation of gene associated with muscular development by gene edition (CRISPR/Cas9), BP.DR

Abstract

Chickens are an important source of high-quality protein and muscle growth is a central trait for poultry breeding programs. For years, the intense genetic improvement in poultry farming has brought advances in poultry yield and efficiency, reducing production costs. Understanding the molecular process controlling muscle development is important to identify which genes are responsible for this trait. Recently, new methodologies have been used in order to identify candidate genes and/or genetic variations associated with muscle traits, however, very few causal genetic variants underlaying phenotypes have been identified. The use of a genome editing techniques (i.e. CRISPR/Cas9) and small interfering RNAs (e.g. siRNA) may validate or identify genetic effects on the phenotype, allowing advances in understanding genetic regulation of trait phenotypes in poultry production. In this context, the main objective of this project is to investigate and validate the function of SAP30 gene in muscle development through RNA sequencing to identify differential gene expression and co-expression through investigation of gene networks in relation to SAP30 treatment.