An Industrial Doctorate project is promoting the conservation and genetic management of the red partridge through the development of its complete pangenome. The PANPER project (Pangenome of the Red Partridge), led by the Poultry Health Center of Catalonia and Aragon ( CESAC ) and the University of Lleida (UdL), aims to complete the creation of a reference genome for this species with more than 35 million years of evolution. This initiative is fundamental to defining the genetic heritage of the red partridge and can offer new perspectives in evolutionary biology and immunology, benefiting both the conservation of the species and research into human diseases.
Recently, the news portal 324.cat echoed the importance of the genome of the red partridge, a bird considered close to dinosaurs due to its antiquity. It is recorded that this species already existed 35 million years ago, at which time it separated genetically from the rooster and began to evolve as a distinct species. The news highlights the work of UdL researchers, who have managed to sequence the genome of this species . Its uniqueness makes it particularly interesting from a scientific and medical point of view.
The professor of Animal Science at the UdL, Jesús Nadal, is convinced that the sequencing of the red partridge genome will be of great use in future research on human diseases linked to the immune system, such as cancer and those related to aging. The ability of this species to survive for millions of years suggests that it possesses an exceptionally strong and adaptive immune system. This makes it an ideal model for the study of human diseases linked to the immune system, such as cancer and those related to aging. In this line, two of the researchers who signed the study published in Scientific Reports , lead the academic part of the PANPER industrial doctorate project.
The PANPER project will analyze the genome of more than 60 red partridges, from both wild and farmed populations, using advanced sequencing technologies such as Illumina's NovaSeq 6000 for short reads and Oxford Nanopore Technologies for long reads. Techniques such as Hi-C will also be used to obtain detailed information on chromosomal structure.
The work plan is structured over three years. The first year will focus on the preparation and initial assembly of genomic data. The second year will be devoted to the analysis of genetic diversity and introgression patterns to understand how different populations have been genetically influenced. Finally, in the third year, the pangenome will be completed and the results will be applied to the conservation and management of the species.
The preliminary results of this project have already made it possible to sequence 96.9% of the red partridge's genes, including RNA and protein codes, as published in the Scientific Reports journal of the Nature group. " This research represents a significant advance towards the creation of a complete reference genome for this species ", says the professor of Animal Science at the UdL, Jesús Nada l. “ This genomic resource becomes an invaluable tool for the identification, management, protection and conservation of wild red partridge, facilitating the implementation of more precise and grounded management measures. And it provides a solid foundation for future research on the evolution and adaptation of species, both in their natural habitats and in captivity ."
In addition to the implications for the conservation of the species, the in-depth study of the red partridge genome may offer new perspectives in the field of evolutionary biology and immunology. According to Rui Alves , UdL professor and IRBLleida researcher, " our gene enrichment analysis suggests that the red partridge developed a different set of regulatory genes and viral response proteins, probably shaped by specific infections and pressures the species ".
The PANPER project, part of the Industrial Doctorates Plan of the Generalitat de Catalunya, represents a close collaboration between the academic and business worlds to promote applied research and the transfer of knowledge. The creation of a complete pangenome of the red partridge will allow the genetic groups to be clearly identified and the process of classifying the different ecotypes to begin, an essential aspect to design effective conservation and management strategies for both livestock farms and wild populations.
With initiatives such as the PANPER project, the Industrial Doctorates Plan reaffirms its commitment to the training of research talent and the promotion of projects that bring added value to society, combining scientific excellence with practical applications in ecological and medical benefits .
