Hungarian Agricultural Research, 2005 (XIV/1-4)
2005-03-01 / 1. szám
0066182 OMgKDK Periodika Ews & Events • News & Events • News & Events • News & Events • News & Events Research on livestock genomics in Hungary “Animal Breeding Science Day” at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences 26th October, 2004. Organized by The Committee for Animal Breeding and Nutrition (Hungarian Academy of Sciences), The Animal Breeders’ Society of the Association for Hungarian Agricultural Science, The Association of the Hungarian Animal Breeders. This particular one day conference is held every year in October, various topics are discussed in detail at each event. The 2004 annual meeting was dedicated to the very special subject of livestock genomics, with particular reference to the analysis of the present situation in Hungary. Such research work is currently carried out at institutions (universities and 9 research institutes). 29 academic, 17 PhD students and 13 undergraduates preparing their diploma work are working on the various projects. The main livestock covered in these studies are: cattle, horse, swine, sheep and goats, poultry, rabbit and fish. In addition to research activities several of the institutions provide molecular genetic marker typing services for animal breeders to utilize results in selection (marker assisted selection, MAS). The importance of such activities has been stressed. Participants all agreed on the necessity of intensifying livestock genomics research activities in Hungary to further contribute to the success of breeding activities in the country. It has been realized, however, that the activities at the rather high number of research units are in most cases quite independent from each other, for more efficient utilization of the existing staff and research funds, some kind of coordination is needed in the future. The large number of Ph.D. students working on the various projects is promising for the future, after receiving their degrees, the best performing students will become staff members and contribute to the success of the individual institutions. A number of the agricultural faculties have started teaching animal breeding biotechnology, including genomics, recently, first of all at postgraduate level. The system and amount of financing in livestock genomics research is not at all appropriate in Hungary. Additional governmental support is required, but the participating institutions should look for additional resources, first of all at an international level. More active participation in the EU supported research projects is of vital importance. The six papers presented at the Conference were as it follows: Research in livestock genomics in Hungary (László Fésűs) Comparative genomics in model organisms and domestic animals (László Varga) Modifying milk composition by molecular genetic methods (Zsuzsanna Bősze et al.) Hungarian results of the direct genetest application in animal breeding (László Fésűs et al.) Applied genomics in poultry breeding (András Hidas) Opportunities in genetic and molecular biology research, and their exploitation in fish culture (Béla Urbányi et al.) All presentations have been published (in Hungarian) in the Hungarian Journal for Animal Production (Állattenyésztés és Takarmányozás) with summaries in English, 2004. 53. 451-499. Hungarian Agricultural Research 2005/1