Genetic clues could help breed chickens resilient to bird flu in the UK

Several areas of chickens’ DNA may influence natural resistance against bird flu, according to research. The study, which was carried out by The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, looked at chickens that survived a major outbreak of highly infectious avian influenza in 2015 and found genetic clues that could help protect chickens from deadly bird flu outbreaks. Using blood samples, the team analysed the DNA from chickens that survived the viral outbreak and compared them with that of uninfected, presumed susceptible birds, seeking differences that could reveal genes linked to resistance. The birds studied survived a particularly lethal avian influenza outbreak, which saw a mortality rate of over 99%. Genes and the immune system The study showed uncovered specific regions across 9 different areas of the chicken genome where genetic variations appeared to play a role. Although no single gene fully explained why some chickens survived, the study pinpointed several genes ...