Project Number: 1930-31000-003-02
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Mar 01, 2000
End Date: Feb 28, 2005

Objective:
(1) Optimize gene constructs for genes to (a) enhance growth rate, (b) increase disease resistance, and (c) enhance carotenoid production in rainbow trout and develop techniques to effectively introduce them; (2) Characterize transgenic animals for transgene integration, expression, and inheritance, and; (3) Establish homozygous transgenic founder lines for evaluation of performance.

Approach:
Gene constructs consisting of cDNA from each of three genes (trout growth hormone, cecropin, and beta-ketolase) and the appropriate promotors will be optimized for expression in ranbow trout. Procedures will be developed for electroporating DNA into sperm and newly fertilized trout eggs and will be used to introduce the gene constructs into rainbow trout. Fish will be analyzed to assess transgene integration and raised to evaluate expression and inheritance. Transgenic rainbow trout will be crossed with nontransgenic animals and the resulting F(1) fish will be crossed to produce homozygous transgenic F(2) founder lines for validation of phenotypes under aquaculture conditions. In addition, clones of pituitary cells from rainbow trout will be characterized to develop lines for further study of hormonal factors that regulate growth hormone expression.

Project Team

Hershberger, William Thomas Chen - Director 304-724-4457

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001   FY 2000

Related National Programs

Aquaculture (106)