Award details

National Capability Grant - Edinburgh Genomics

Reference	BBS/E/D/20310000
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Michael Watson
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Edinburgh
Department	The Roslin Institute
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	901,286
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2012
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	59 months

Abstract

The ARK Genomics Centre for Comparative and Functional Genomics (ARK Genomics) is an established high throughput research and technology facility which utilises the latest genomics technologies for research into genome structure, genetic variation, gene expression and gene function with a focus on systems of relevance to animal health and food security. The laboratory employs a range of technologies, including DNA Sequencing (Illumina GAII, HiSeq2000 wef Q2 2011, Sanger ABI3730), microarrays (Agilent, Affymetrix, Illumina, Nimblegen), genotyping (Goldengate, Infinium, Affymetrix) and bioinformatics, as well as managing and distributing an extensive and unique clone/vector library. ARK-Genomics combines the latest technologies with bioinformatics research to provide a complete genomics solution from concept to conclusion. Global demand for food is rising, both as a result of population growth and due to dietary changes in developing countries. A UN FAO report on this issue forecasts that food production will need to increase by over 40% by 2030 and by over 70% by 2050. In order to address the Grand Challenge on Food Security there is a need to increase yield, diseases resistance, food production, food safety and quality and to decrease infections, water use, energy use, the environmental impact and the chance of zoonoses. Genomics technologies are critical to the strategic research programmes at the BBSRC National Institutes of Bioscience (including Roslin, IAH, IBERS) and elsewhere which are being conducted to address these challenges. Similarly, these technologies are also essential for research that addresses the BBSRC Core Priority on Basic Bioscience Underlying Health. Thus, a key strategic role for ARK-Genomics is to provide access to the latest advances in technology that are essential to researchers in animal science and to the bioinformatics skills with which to analyse the resulting large datasets. ARK-Genomics focuses on the quantitative biology, genetics and genomics of food-producing animals, their model systems and their pathogens. This focus covers the BBSRC priority areas of “Food Security” and “Basic Bioscience underpinning Health”. The objectives are to investigate the genetic factors that influence yield, animal production, food safety, resistance to pathogens, and the immune response, as well as basic science underpinning the search for drug targets and vaccine development. The outputs feed directly into the breeding and other translational programmes of industrial and academic partners. With a track record in animal sciences and the close integration with The Roslin Institute, ARK-Genomics addresses the challenges of food production and animal disease, and the increasing global demand for food production and security.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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