RPBC develops new Radiata pine SNPchipFriday 9 Aug 2024
A SNPchip is a sliver of glass with very small pits etched into it. These pits each hold a sequence of genetic information called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or DNA markers. When a tiny amount of DNA is passed through these pits, usually extracted from substances such as plant matter, DNA fingerprints of each individual are recorded. Such DNA fingerprints from SNPchip technology is seen as a ‘go to’ tool for collating and preserving genetic information in a range of sectors. “The new SNPchip underwent a robust development and proving phase with close to 1,000 radiata pine seedlings revalidated with the new and old SNPchip,” says RPBC’s R&D Manager and Geneticist Sai Arojju. “The results were consistent between both the platforms, producing high call rates with low missing DNA markers, a key success indicator.” The number of unique DNA markers on the new SNPchip platform sits at around 8,000, which is more than sufficient to perform routine operational genomic selection. Using the new SNPchip, operational genomic selection of 10,000 seedlings in 2024 has been completed successfully. “Achieving an operationally efficient and reliable genomics pathway is a significant and important milestone in the 70 years of Radiata Pine tree breeding which we are celebrating this year,” says RPBC’s General Manager Darrell O’Brien. “Our collaboration with Crown Research Institutes Scion and AgResearch, who were instrumental in developing the new SNPchip, has assisted us to rapidly move closer to achieving our overall objective of reducing the radiata pine tree breeding cycle from the traditional 17 years to a 9-year breeding cycle, thus increasing the rate of genetic gain over time. Deployment of genetic gain over time has a favourable influence on forest growers’ profitability.” Source & image credit: Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC) | ||
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