Improving disease resistance in chickens is one of the aims of a new three-year research deal agreed between one of the world’s largest poultry firms and Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute.
Cobb-Vantress is investing nearly £600,000 in avian research programmes to boost bird health as well as develop new technologies to better understand and preserve current and heritage poultry genomes.
Roslin has recently opened a new National Avian Research Facility, which is focusing on poultry research.
Roslin director Professor David Hume said the agreement with Cobb was an excellent example of the kind of industrial relationships which could allow it and its researchers to secure long-term improvements in animal health and livestock productivity.
“I am delighted to be able to formalise the relationship we have with Cobb and capitalise on a number of key opportunities that we will be pursuing under the agreement,” he added.
Among them is developing a new technology to allow pedigree and heritage poultry breeding lines to be maintained without the physical need to maintain a bird stock. Others will investigate the use of DNA markers in the poultry genome to select for traits including immunity, disease tolerance and disease resistance.
Cobb’s chief technology officer Christine Daugherty added: “These are exciting new areas which we hope will lead to major breakthroughs in avian health and preservation. Cobb has an extensive gene pool and to be able to better understand the poultry genome will be critical to meeting future demands for poultry products.
“We’re always striving to breed more robust chickens that will withstand disease and environmental challenges.”