PhD 9

Minimizing adverse epigenetic modifications in cryopreserved native Merino sheep embryos in order to improve quality and survival rate

Location: Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Unit, National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV), Portugal

Main Supervisor: Dr. Rosa Maria Lino Neto Pereira; E-mail: rosa.linoneto@iniav.pt

Participating researchers: Dr. Catherine Labbe (INRAE), Dr. Nuno Carolino (INIAV)

Objectives:

  1. Characterize the DNA methylation changes induced by in vitro sheep embryo production and cryopreservation processes

  2. Investigate different strategies (anti-oxidants, type of semen, media and cryoprotectants) to minimize adverse epigenetic modifications

  3. Access the embryonic quality and cryosurvival rate of the implemented methodologies used to minimize adverse epigenetic modifications

Expected Results:

  1. Identify the DNA methylation patterns of fresh or vitrified sheep in vitro produced embryos

  2. Choose the best strategies to minimize adverse epigenetic modifications in sheep embryos

  3. Establish new protocols to produce in vitro sheep embryos with high survival rates and low adverse epigenetic modifications

Planned secondments:  (Host, Supervisor, timing, length, and purpose)

  1. NMBU, Mayer, M8, 2 M, training in germplasm cryopreservation in domestic and non-domestic species.

  2. INRAE, Labbé, M16, 6 M, learn techniques for DNA methylation identification and bioinformatics analysis

  3. Smithsonian Institute, Comizzoli, M30, 2 M, learning cryotechnology and genetic resource banking

Enrollment in Doctoral Degree: Yes (University of Lisbon)