DNA discoveries could aid oyster success

Genetic code findings could help produce larger, healthier shellfish.

Oysters at various stages of preparation

Insights into the DNA of European flat oysters from a series of studies could inform selective breeding approaches for the scarce shellfish, to improve food security and sustainability.

Scientists from the Roslin Institute developed extensive genetic resources detailing the DNA of oysters and used them to help address the challenges this species faces in terms of conservation, restoration and aquaculture.

Two areas of the oyster genome are significantly associated with faster growth, the researchers have found.

The incorporation of genomic information into breeding schemes could be a cost-effective way of enhancing growth traits such as weight and shell size in oysters, scientists concluded.

A separate study, led by scientists from the University of Santiago de Compostela and involving Roslin experts, discovered that variations in a region of oyster DNA may be associated with tolerance to a deadly parasite.

Reference genome

To help understand all the genetics information in their studies, the researchers decoded the complete DNA code of the European flat oyster.

Two high-quality reference genomes were separately built to the chromosome level by the Roslin team and scientists from Sorbonne University in France.

Both genomes have been published in Evolutionary Applications and are already being widely used by oyster researchers in Europe.

Growth traits

Scientists analysed the genome of the European flat oyster to look for variations and assess whether growth traits are under genetic control and could therefore be improved through selective breeding.

This research, published in Frontiers in Genetics, concluded that it is feasible to genetically improve growth traits in oysters.

Parasite tolerance

In a separate study, scientists compared the genome of oysters that had not been exposed to the deadly parasite Bonamia ostreae with that of long-term affected populations.

The team looked into areas of the oyster genome previously linked to resilience to the parasite and found an area associated with resilience to the parasite.

The study was published in Evolutionary Applications.

Oysters were once a plentiful source of food and a mainstay of the Scottish people, but have long been in decline. Our studies, in collaboration with UK and European academics, industry, environmental charities, and government scientists, used genomics and genetic tools to help inform breeding strategies of the native European flat oyster.
Our results could contribute to sustainable food production, as oysters have among the lowest environmental impact of any animal protein production.
Dr Tim Bean
Oyster research expert, Roslin Institute

High quality reference genome assemblies are of immense value when applying genetic tools in aquaculture and conservation. Our genome assembly enhances the resources available for flat oyster research, supports ongoing conservation efforts and selective breeding programmes, and improves our understanding of bivalve genome evolution.
Dr Manu Gundappa
Post-doctoral research fellow, Roslin Institute

Our study shows that breeding programmes for flat oyster aquaculture and restoration would benefit from the incorporation of genetic information to identify the best candidates for breeding, thereby fast-tracking genetic progress in key traits in a sustainable way.
Dr Carolina Peñaloza
Post-doctoral research fellow, Roslin Institute

** The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. **

About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.   

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  The Roslin Institute  

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems  

The Roslin Innovation Centre  

The Hospital for Small Animals  

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Farm Animal Services  

Easter Bush Pathology  

The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education  

We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. 

Links to Publications

Scientific publication in Evolutionary Applications, Chromosome level reference genome for European flat oyster by Gundappa et al

Scientific publication in Frontiers in Genetics, Genome-wide association and genomic prediction of growth traits in the European flat oyster by Penaloza et al

Commentary in Evolutionary Applications, Two parallel chromosome-level reference genomes to support restoration and aquaculture of European flat oyster Ostrea edulis by Bean et al

Scientific publication in Evolutionary Applications, A single genomic region involving a putative chromosome rearrangement in flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) is associated with differential host resilience to the parasite Bonamia ostreae by Sambade et al