Genomic prediction in animal and plant breeding

Description: In the last decade, genomic prediction has been a game changer in animal breeding and has been more and more adopted in plant breeding. By increasing the rate of genetic gain and reducing the need for individual phenotyping, this technique strongly contributes to making the ever-expanding animal breeding goals more sustainable.

The course will review state-of-the-art theory and application of genomic prediction in animal and plant breeding with a focus on what the two fields can learn from each other for future research and application, understand each other’s’ language, and start developing a common language in terms of methodologies used and applications.

List course objectives: Experts from Animal Breeding and Genomics, Plant Breeding and Biometris will teach the latest genomic prediction theory, and examples of genomic prediction research from both fields will be presented by post-graduate students. Geneticists working at animal and plant breeding companies, including Marco Bink from Hendrix Genetics and Hans Daetwyler from Bayer, will describe the route towards implementation of genomic prediction in practice, and important challenges faced in this process.

Throughout the course, participants will work in groups of both animal and plant researchers to design breeding programs that implement genomic prediction. Discussion between the groups and providing feedback on each other’s work will be facilitated.

Prior knowledge required: Basic understanding of genomic prediction and breeding programs.

Background reading material:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871141314003035?via%3Dihub

https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.3920

https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12534

General Information

Target Group	WIAS, EPS, PE&RC and other PhDs and postdocs
Course level	in-depth, post graduate
Group size	A minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25
Course duration	4 days
Prior knowledge	Basic understanding of genomic prediction and breeding programs
Home work/ self- study	Practicals if they are not completed during the set time.
Language	English
Credit points	1.5
Course content coordinator	Mario Calus
Name of lecturers	WUR lecturer(s) & postgraduates from Animal Breeding & Geonomic Group, Plant Breeding & Biometris Group Geneticists from Animal breeding companies, including Marco Bink (Hendrix Genetics) Geneticists from Plant breeding companies, including Hans Daetwyler (Bayer)
Venue	Wageningen University Campus

Fee (includes study and training material, coffee/tea and lunches)

1) Reduced fee: PhD candidates of Wageningen University doing a Training and Supervision Plan (TSP)	€200
2) University fee: All other PhD candidates / postdocs and staff of Wageningen University	€350

Cancellation condition

You may cancel free of charge up to 1 month before the start of the course. After this date you will be charged with the University fee, unless: 

• You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement. In this case you will be charged a €50,- cancellation fee.
• You are a PhD of Wageningen University with a valid reason to cancel (illness or death in the family 1st or 2nd degree). In this case you will be charged the reduced fee and your supervisor/PI must send a mail indication the reason for cancellation.

Note: WUR PhD candidates have priority. If the course is fully booked,  PhDs from other universities will be invited to join the course based on registration date.

Information: For more information please contact: paddy.haripersaud@wur.nl, tel: +31317486836 or wias@wur.nl