Breeding programme modelling with AlphaSimR

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Breeding programmes are key to the genetic improvement of plant varieties and animal breeds used in agriculture. This unique course shows how to model an existing or new breeding programme and evaluate alternative breeding scenarios using AlphaSimR.

Course structure:

• Week 1 - Introduction to breeding programme modelling
• Week 2 - Relationship between DNA & traits
• Week 3 - DNA lottery
• Week 4 - Selection and response to selection
• Week 5 - Modelling complex breeding programs

Learning objectives:

1. Recall the key steps in setting up and designing a computer (in-silico) breeding programme to simulate and study a chosen population. Understand the objectives that the in-silico breeding programme is being tailored to address.
2. Apply and build a breeding programme with AlphaSimR. Use it to simulate and analyse a range of scenarios for a chosen population using an online R platform, which allows participants to access, manipulate, and run code. 
3. Evaluate breeding scenarios best suited to different species, populations, and available resources. Use information from the course to create a breeding programme that meets these objectives and derive tangible interpretations based on the simulation results.

Delivery:

This course is self-paced (material is recorded, written, and exercises with solutions provided). It will be open for the foreseeable future.

Intended audience:

• Students interested in understanding the principles of genetics and breeding
• Students or professionals interested in using AlphaSimR