Development of high-quality reference genome for American mink

Currently, mink producers select their breeding animals based on their phenotypic performances, and they have limited experience of using genetic or genomic selection to improve their profitability. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the ability of the Canadian mink industry to compete internationally by improving animal production using new genomic selection tools. Genomic selection can be used to estimate the breeding value of an animal for traits of interest. Consequently, this would increase the genetic gain by decreasing the generation interval, increasing the selection accuracy, and the frequency of favorable alleles (Falconer and MacKay 1996, Goddard and Hayes 2009, Miar et al. 2015). Taking this big step from phenotypic selection to genetic and genomic selection will ensure that Canada especially Nova Scotia mink breeders will produce more fur with better quality that better meets consumer demands. A continuous genome assembly and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay will enable development of resources for genomics and proteomics studies in American mink, which will support the application of genomic selection in the mink industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Younes Miar

Student:

Partner:

Nova Scotia Mink Breeders Association

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: