Conservation of tropical pigs’ genetic resources using the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from somatic cells

Conservation of local pig genetic resources using the most accessible biological material and non-invasive tools will increase the research capability to respond to present and future needs of the global pig production. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have great potential for research and conservation owing their self-renewing and pluripotent aptitudes, while attracting minimal ethical concerns. iPSC technology appears to be the best strategy for the conservation of any given mammalian species.

While conserving African pig genetic resources, this project will provide tools for in vitro phenotyping of selected genotypes in a multitude of cell types for the development local breeds, with the added benefit of accelerating precision breeding and fast delivery of tested germplasms. The proof-of-concept (POC) application of pig stem cells technology at ILRI will focus on a few targeted indigenous breeds selected from Ugandan or Kenya