Sam May, our Genetic Services Lead – North America, was the Principal Investigator (PI) of the recently published study: Improving genomic selection and diversity with cryopreservation: A case study in Atlantic salmon
Selective breeding is key to producing healthier, more resilient aquaculture populations, but maintaining genetic diversity is always a challenge.
This study explores how cryopreservation (freezing and storing genetic material) can transform selective breeding programs.
Key highlights:
- Simulation methods evaluate strategies for incorporating cryopreservation into Atlantic salmon selective breeding programs.
- Cryopreservation strategies enhance genetic gain and prediction accuracy, particularly for negatively correlated traits.
- Cryopreservation reduces within-line kinship and increases among-line kinship.
- Breeding framework with cryopreservation can easily be applied to other selective breeding or conservation programs.
The research suggests that making cryopreservation a routine breeding tool, not just a backup for genetic repositories, could help balance rapid genetic progress with long-term resilience.
Read the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0044848625011615