The central theme of my research is the understanding at the genome level of the genetic adaptations of “tropical’’ livestock to their production environments. We aim to unravel the genetic control of functional diversity for their uses in breeding improvement programs in cattle, small ruminant and chicken. We studied both Mendelian and quantitative traits. We use as tools next generation sequencing (NGS) and high-density genome wide SNP chips microarrays genotyping. Our model includes livestock population selected intensively by human (productivity and morphological traits) as well as indigenous population, in the tropics, under natural selection (e.g. survival traits such as disease resistances). We use genome wide molecular approaches and bioinformatics and statistical analysis for the detection and the mapping of signature of selection. A major baseline element of our work is the understanding of the genetic history of our model species and livestock genetic resources characterization is an important component of our research strategy.
My Publications
The usefulness of maternally inherited genetic markers for phylogeographic studies in village chicken
A structural variant at ASIP associated with the darkness of hair coat is found in multiple zebu cattle populations
Genome-wide diversity and admixture of five indigenous cattle populations from the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia
Morphological and osteological characterization of indigenous domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus): Validation of Rensch’s, Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules
