Objectives and expected results

Objectives

  1. To generate high quality genomes for H. huso and A. oxyrinchus.
  2. To characterize the genetic sex determination in both target sturgeon species, using genomics and gonadal transcriptomics to prepare future molecular biotechnological tools for commercial (female biased breeding, meat, caviar) aquaculture.
  3. To generate population genomics data as a basis for improvement of aquaculture breeding and re-stocking, specifically elucidating the genomic substructure of native American Atlantic/Baltic sturgeons (A. oxyrinchus) and re-stocking populations (Germany) and of the remaining Beluga (H. huso) stocks from the Danube (Romania/Bulgaria).
  4. To identify candidate genes (from whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics) for important traits, applicable to selective breeding (growth, disease resistance, sex determination) and to derive and validate trait-specific aquaculture strategies in H. huso and A. oxyrinchus in Germany and Romania.

 

Expected results:

– The project transforms two marine species of sturgeon (H. huso and A. oxyrinchus) into sturgeon genomic model species by providing publicly accessible, high quality genomes (WP1)

-It will reveal the genetics of sex determination in two sturgeon species with immediate applicability in commercial meat and caviar aquaculture as well as in conservation (release and restocking directed) aquaculture (WP2)

– Allows immediate improvement of the broodstock in H. huso and A. oxyrinchus for both commercial and conservation (release directed) aquaculture by characterizing and comparing the natural genomic diversity with the one in the captive population and by deriving breeding plans for selective breeding (WP3)

– Enables numerous specific trait based (WP4) future applications using candidate-gene-based selective breeding of sturgeons for aquaculture

– Will trigger further research in sturgeons with higher ploidy levels (and more difficult to access genomes) by making these two genomes accessible and thus will allow further applications for caviar and meat related aquaculture.