Genetically based variation of proliferative kidney disease pathology traits

• Applicant: Paul Vincent Debes, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Veterinary Medical Science ; Evolution, Anthropology
• Term: from 2014 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 265859788

Manifestations of diseases usually differ among individuals. In addition to external influences, genetic factors often play a major role in the expression of a disease. The salmonid fish-specific proliferative kidney disease (PKD) is triggered by a parasite and can be fatal for infected fish; both in aquaculture and in nature. The proposed project examines genetic variation for PKD susceptibility and the severity of different PKD-associated traits in three wild populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta). My goal is to determine the presence and magnitude of genetic variation for disease susceptibility and disease-associated traits. Disease-associated traits to be examined include well-known traits, such as degree of kidney swelling, as well as yet unknown molecular traits (mRNA levels) that I expect to identify as part of the project using state of the art technology (RNA-seq). Knowledge of genetically based variation for PKD and its key traits allows predictions for both breeding success of PKD resistance or tolerance in aquaculture, and PKD-related long-term effects on abundances of wild populations.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Finland
• Host: Privatdozent Dr. Anti Vasemägi, Ph.D.