Projects per year
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is a popular domestic poultry species and an increasingly significant model species in avian developmental, behavioural and disease research.
RESULTS: We have produced a high-quality quail genome sequence, spanning 0.93 Gb assigned to 33 chromosomes. In terms of contiguity, assembly statistics, gene content and chromosomal organisation, the quail genome shows high similarity to the chicken genome. We demonstrate the utility of this genome through three diverse applications. First, we identify selection signatures and candidate genes associated with social behaviour in the quail genome, an important agricultural and domestication trait. Second, we investigate the effects and interaction of photoperiod and temperature on the transcriptome of the quail medial basal hypothalamus, revealing key mechanisms of photoperiodism. Finally, we investigate the response of quail to H5N1 influenza infection. In quail lung, many critical immune genes and pathways were downregulated after H5N1 infection, and this may be key to the susceptibility of quail to H5N1.
CONCLUSIONS: We have produced a high-quality genome of the quail which will facilitate further studies into diverse research questions using the quail as a model avian species.
Original language | English |
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Article number | (2020) 18:14 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | BMC Biology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Feb 2020 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Coturnix japonica
- Quail
- Genome
- Influenza
- Seasonality
- Photoperiod
- Bird flu
- H5N1
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Dive into the research topics of 'The quail genome: insights into social behaviour, seasonal biology and infectious disease response'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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ISP 3 2017/22 Improving Animal Health and Welfare
Meddle, S. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/17 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
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Unravelling the networks that regulate seasonal rhythmicity in the epigenome
Meddle, S. (Principal Investigator)
2/07/16 → 31/03/20
Project: Research
Profiles
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Jacqueline Smith
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies - Senior Research Fellow
Person: Academic: Research Active (Research Assistant)