genetic resources

ILRI News on genetic resources

14 Dec 2021

Cryoconservation of African poultry breeds: Safeguarding indigenous and endangered breeds

Scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) have shown that isolation and freezing of primordial germ cells from chicken embryos can provide a new approach for conservation of poultry material. Application of this method paves the way for conservation of African poultry genetics, and safeguards against loss of diversity in poultry populations, which also threatens endangered species.

Ekta PatelScientist & Communications Manager - Biosciences

ILRI News

12 May 2021

Scientists in Africa explore use of surrogate sires to improve small ruminant breeds

In Pullman, Washington, the director and reproductive biologist at the Center for Reproductive Biology, Jon Oatley, and his team have generated a gene-edited goat, known as surrogate sire—a goat that is capable of ‘hosting’ sperm from a different buck. Oatley believes that this technology is the key to unlocking the growing demand for food and nutritional security and has paired up with scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Nairobi to apply the technology in Africa.

Ekta PatelScientist & Communications Manager - Biosciences

ILRI News

01 Feb 2021

Scientists find genomic regions associated with better quality stover traits in maize for animal feed

Researchers from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and the International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI) have identified new genomic regions associated with maize stover quality allowing maize breeders to select for stover quality traits quickly and most cost effectively. Results demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating genomic prediction as a tool to improve stover traits, circumventing the need for field or lab-based phenotyping.