“Genomic selection of high economic value traits in Tilapia and other commercial fish species"

Prof. Brendan J. McAndrew
Professor of Aquaculture Genetics
Institute of Aquaculture
University of Stirling
Stirling, United Kingdom

Professor Brendan McAndrew is head of the Genetics and Reproduction Research group. This is a major multidisciplinary research and teaching group that integrates genetic and endocrinology techniques towards the better understanding of the genetic management and improvement of aquatic organisms. Has extensive research experience in the problems associated with the genetic management and improvement of a wide variety of tropical and temperate fish and shellfish species and over 100 scientific publications in this area. His research group is actively engaged on various aspects of genetic research in the majority of the most important commercial fish species (carp, tilapia rainbow trout, salmon, seabass, seabream, halibut and prawns. These include the development of genetic markers for population genetics and pedigree analysis, genetic analysis of commercially important traits, and the development of selective improvement and management programmes. Recent research has focused on the development and application of genomic tools in farmed fish. He managed the Department For International Development (DFID) Fish Genetics Research Programme. He is also the Research Director at the University of Sterling Institute of Aquaculture. He has worked as an advisor and consultant for Worldfish, FAO, CDC, Danida and DFID in a wide range of developing countries on problems associated with genetic and biodiversity issues in aquatic organisms. He is technical director of Fish-Gen a biotechnology company licensed to commercialise intellectual property rights arising out of the Fish Genetics Research Programme.