Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome genetic resistance: an online class at destination of swine experts and professionals - Dr. Perle Boyer, University of Minnesota, from the 2017 North American PRRS/National Swine Improvement Federation Joint Meeting, December 1‐3, 2017, Chicago, Illinois, USA. More presentations at http://www.swinecast.com/2017-north-american-prrs-nsif-joint-meeting

1. Principles and application of genetics
and genomics to improve animal health
an online course at destination of swine professionals
Perle Boyer, Montserrat Torremorell,
Jack Dekkers

2. A collaborative effort

3. A collaborative effort
• Numerous and prestigious course contributors

4. Genetically Improving Resistance of Pigs to PRRS Virus
Infections
by Dr. Jack Dekkers and collaborators
• Justification:
– Veterinarians and health professions involved in genetic decisions
seldom are exposed to genetics during their training years
– Genetic selection and genomic programs are complex and require a
comprehensive understanding of the methods and strategies
employed by genetic companies to deliver genetic improvement, in
particular when the improvement relates to health.

5. • Overall Goal: To train veterinarians, geneticists and
industry stakeholders on basic concepts of genetic
selection and genomics and how to apply them to
improve animal health

6. Goals of the course
By the end of the class, the learner will be able to:
• Synthesize the epidemiologic and biological characteristics of an
infectious disease
• Explain the bases of a genetic improvement program and how a
program works
• Compare and contrast the various genetic selection tools and
approaches and how they can be used to improve health
• Recognize the limitations of genetic improvement of health due
to the pathogens’ biology and evolution
• Explain genetic approaches to control PRRSV infections

7. Course Design
• Completely online
• Self-paced
• 8 hours of content  25h-30h of learning
• Videos as well as interactive sliders
• Knowledge check to highlight major concepts

8. Module 1: Introduction to
infectious disease biology
Part 1:
Epidemiology
of infectious
diseases
Part 2: Control
and
prevention of
infectious
diseases
Part 3: Disease
modeling
Part 4: PRRSV
epidemiology
and control
Module 2: Genetics and
Genetic selection
Part 1: How
does genetic
material work?
Part 2: Genetic
variation
Part 3:
Quantitative
trait genetics
and response
to selection
Part 4: Use of
genomics in
genetic
improvement
Module 3: Genetic selection for
disease resistance
Part 1: Genetic
selection for disease:
basic concepts
Part 2: Impact of
genetic selection on
disease epidemiology
Module 4: Genetic selection
for PRRS
Part 1: Evidence for
a genetic
component to
PRRS
Part 2: Resistance
to PRRS in the
growing pig and the
reproductive female
Part 3: Other
technologies
Overall Structure

9. Preview of
the course

10. Preview of
the course

11. Preview of the course

12. Preview of
the course

13. Preview of
the course

14. Who should take this course?
• Swine practitioners and health professionals in the
swine industry
• Geneticists
• Researchers in swine health
• Graduate students

15. More information
• Opening of the course: Spring 2018
• Course webpage: z.umn.edu/geneticsgenomics
• Contact: pboyer@umn.edu

16. Funding
• This project was supported by the Agriculture and
Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no 2013-
68004-20362 from the USDA National Institute of
Food and Agriculture

17. Thank you for your attention
pboyer@umn.edu
@umn_swine_group
umnswinenews.com