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HEDoctoral network2023–2027

CryoStore · Innovation in germplasm cryopreservation for improved animal breeding and the conservation of Europe's livestock biodiversity

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-09-01 → 2027-08-31
EU contribution
€2,719,469
Participants
23
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Innovation in germplasm cryopreservation for improved animal breeding and the conservation of Europe's livestock biodiversity

There is growing international concern about the continued loss of animal biodiversity. While most attention has focused on iconic species, the conservation of Europe’s numerous native breeds of farm animals and the need to maintain genetic diversity within breeds, has largely been overlooked. Animal production systems are constantly changing, and a decreasing number of breeds are now producing an increasing part of Europe’s total animal production. This has contributed to the disappearance of many native breeds, and within populations the genetic base is becoming increasingly narrow. The genetic resource base of Europe’s numerous native breeds is of great importance to the future prosperity of the European animal production industry as genetic biodiversity allows the expression of advantageous traits influencing adaptability to harsh environments, productivity, or disease resistance. It is likely that selecting naturally occurring traits will help overcome anticipated difficulties in livestock production due to climate change, including global warming and more extreme weather patterns. Of critical importance for the conservation of farm animal biodiversity will be the cryopreservation of reproductive cells and tissues (germplasm), both for conservation purposes (gene banks) and for use in modern farm animal breeding (assisted reproductive technologies), underpinning sustainable and efficient animal production systems (food security). The successful cryopreservation of farm animal germplasm conveys both major societal and economic benefits to the European Community. However, the cryopreservation and use of germplasm is still constrained by several technical problems, including reduced viability and fertilization rates of reproductive cells due to cryodamage following freeze-thaw procedures.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

CryoStore aims to create a lasting research and education network for a new generation of animal husbandry experts with a broad, multidisciplinary approach to the complexity of modern animal production and the conservation of farm animal biodiversity, taking into account economic, societal and environmental needs. A vibrant and effective animal breeding and production industry is essential to meet Europe´s increasing need for sustainable and secure food production. Farm animal and fish breeding are global, highly competitive and knowledge intensive sectors, and currently European breeding organisations are global leaders. If Europe is to maintain its competitive advantage in these strategically important industries innovative research is needed in those reproductive technologies that underpin efficient and profitable animal production. As such, CryoStore will develop innovative technologies for improved cryopreservation of germplasm (gametes, embryos, germ cells) for use in assisted reproductive procedures, leading to increased reproductive efficiency in Europe´s livestock and aquaculture industries. Technological advances in germplasm cryopreservation will also be of key importance to future initiatives aimed at conserving Europe’s livestock biodiversity, through genetic resource banking. Conserving Europe´s numerous and diverse native breeds, many of which are seriously threatened, will be of crucial importance to future sustainable animal production as genetic biodiversity allows the expression of advantageous traits influencing adaptability to harsh environments or disease resistance. It is likely that selecting for naturally occurring traits will help overcome future difficulties in livestock production wrought by climate change. The intensive training of CryoStore ESRs in a wide range of scientific and transferable skills will greatly enhance their future employability in Europe´s important animal production industries and conservation initiatives.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • NORGES MILJO-OG BIOVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET · AsCoordinatorNorway
  • ANCORME · ÉvoraPortugal
  • Ard Innovation AS · ÅsNorway
  • CENTRE DE SELECTION DE BECHANNE · SAINT ETIENNE DU BOISFrance
  • EUROPEAN FORUM OF FARM ANIMAL BREEDERS · Capelle Aan Den IjsselNetherlands
  • GENO SA · HamarNorway
  • GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER · HannoverGermany
  • IMV TECHNOLOGIES · Saint-Ouen-Sur-ItonFrance
  • INSTITUT DE L'ELEVAGE · ParisFrance
  • INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT · ParisFrance
  • INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGAÇAO AGRARIA E VETERINARIA · OeirasPortugal
  • Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine · KharkovUkraine
  • JIHOCESKA UNIVERZITA V CESKYCH BUDEJOVICICH · Ceske BudejoviceCzechia
  • Kharkiv State Regional Science and Research Center on Information Security · KharkivUkraine
  • LLS ROWIAK LASERLABSOLUTIONS GMBH · HannoverGermany
  • LUONNONVARAKESKUS · HelsinkiFinland
  • NORDISKT GENRESURSCENTER · AlnarpSweden
  • SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION · Washington DcUnited States
  • STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH · WageningenNetherlands
  • STIFTELSEN GRID ARENDAL · ArendalNorway
  • SYNDICAT DES SELECTIONNEURS AVICOLES ET AQUACOLES FRANCAIS · NouzillyFrance
  • THE EUROPEAN ALLIANCE FOR MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE · LeuvenBelgium
  • TOPIGS NORSVIN RESEARCH CENTER BV · 'S HERTOGENBOSCHNetherlands

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union