Molecular Genetics

SyAqua is particularly proud of its exceptional and traditionally strong Molecular Genetics programs.  Based on its substantial historic experience derived from the prolonged and sustained success achieved in the area of swine genetic improvement, Syaqua is applying molecular Genetic programs to shrimp species.

It is important to emphasize that SyAqua does not work with transgenic technologies or with genetically modified organisms.  These are not part of our technological portfolio or objectives. 

SyAqua’s molecular technologies comprise the development and applications of: DNA genetic markers (of which examples are presented in Figures below); Tests and methodologies in the areas of functional (micro-arrays), proteomic, and metabolomic genomics.  All these technologies are utilized to deepen knowledge of the biological, physiological and metabolic basis of target genetic traits; and to enhance and complement conventional quantitative genetic technologies, based upon selection strategies and mating systems, to accelerate and magnify the rates of genetic progress to be expected from them.

AA GENOTYPE

AT GENOTYPE

TT GENOTYPE

SyAqua’s DNA genetic markers are utilized towards different purposes: as selection aids, especially in what concern traits such as resistance to diseases, shrimp carcass and meat quality, and grow-out survival rates (traits that are difficult to measure or of low heritability). Also as the basis for genetic protection schemes involving the patenting and the legal protection of their genetically improved stocks and lines.

SyAqua is also are researching traceability through family molecular tagging; to try to reduce dependence upon elastomer-tagging methodologies and to evaluate aspects of genetic diversity and variability. 

Through the utilization of DNA markers it was possible to verify that SyAqua stocks comprise excellent levels of genetic diversity and variability, above those usually present for other animal and aquaculture species production systems (Rocha et al. 2005; submission to the World Aquaculture Society). 

SyAqua as a division of Sygen developed 30 DNA markers specifically concerning shrimp - a number which has and will continue to rapidly escalate.  All selected brood-stocks are genotyped for all these DNA markers, and their genotypes routinely evaluated for putative associations with production traits of interest.  Knowledge of these brood-stock genotypes for a vast number of markers allows SyAqua to invoke legal protection schemes against the unduly and unauthorized utilization of their breeding stocks by competitors and other economic agents.

Allele 1 – Homozygote sequence

Allele 2 – Homozygote sequence

                           The result of this Molecular Genetics program is extremely fast genetic improvement that will make available ever improving products for the benefit Thailand’s shrimp farmers and processing industry.