November 3, 2015

Cobb-Vantress and Hendrix Genetics extend joint research

Cobb-Vantress and Hendrix Genetics have signed their third consecutive Joint Development Agreement (JDA).

Both companies will continue to investigate the fast-growing field of chicken genomics and develop the next-generation genomic selection tools.

Cobb-Vantress and Hendrix Genetics set up their first JDA in 2008.

Dr. Mitch Abrahamsen, senior vice-president of R&D at Cobb-Vantress, said, "The joint efforts of the Hendrix and Cobb R&D teams have provided more scale to our research programme and delivered surprising new insights over the years. Although the basics of breeding and genomics apply in most animal sectors, it helps to exchange knowledge across species and breeding programmes."

An example of the success of the last JDA is the development of a cutting-edge SNP Chip for chickens, a tiny glass slide that can analyse some 60,000 variations in DNA sequences - or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) - which act as genetic markers and are specifically targeted to Cobb and Hendrix chicken breeding lines.

Cobb-Vantress and Hendrix Genetics also partner in the Dutch research consortium Breed4Food. Together with other Dutch breeding companies, this consortium is focused on development of novel genetics and genomics tools through innovative science, beneficial to the breeding, production and consumption of animal proteins with a commitment to responsible stewardship of animal resources: /contents/10-18-2012/13efa80e-8eb3-4ce9-ad54-f12e27daff13-a181.html