Applied Wild and Farm Animal Genomics Group - Detailed - Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology
Applied Wild and Farm Animal Genomics Group
Applied Wild and Farm Animal Genomics Group - Detailed
Last modified: 12. October 2022
Introduction of the Research Group
The group works on 3 topics, which include both basic and applied research tasks.
The members of the research group are Viktor Stéger (PI), Péter Fehér Árpád (PhD student, doctoral candidate), Nóra Ninausz (PhD student, assistant research fellow), Bettina Hegedűs (research assistant), Evelin Racskó (laboratory assistant).
Research topics
- Apicultural genomics and genetics ( MMNP, 57/2019. (XIII.14) Decree AM § 27 )
- Thesis supervisor: Viktor Stéger (MATE, GBI)
- collaborating researchers: Endre Barta, Dr. Zsuzsanna Szőke (MATE, GBI)
- Genetic monitoring of predators (BNPI, ANPI contracts)
- Thesis supervisor: Viktor Stéger (MATE, GBI)
- collaborating researchers: Endre Barta, Dr. Zsuzsanna Szőke (MATE, GBI)
Detailed presentation of research topics
Apicultural genomics and getetics
Background to the topic:
Our team plans to benefit from the bioinformatics and laboratory experience gained so far in the field of bee genetic and genomic research. The project is carried out with the help of experienced beekeepers, bee breeders and universities. The research is commissioned by the Hungarian Bee Keeping Association. The genome of five bee specimen have been sequenced using the Illumina HiSEQ 2000 technology. Using bioinformatics methods 22 Gbp data has been fitted on the bee reference genome. During this 17 million structural differences have been found between the bee genomes.
Firstly the mitochondrial genomes have been specified and the differences examined to explore the diagnostic variations between the European and Asian honey bee. We are working on the development of markers that can differentiate between the two honeybee species, and apiary products produced by them, using real-time PCR method.
In the framework of a long-term bee breeding programme, in cooperation with the Hungarian National Beekeepers' Association (OMME) and the National Association of Hungarian Beekeepers (MMOE), we are aiming to preserve and breed genetically pure Pannonian bee colonies with excellent hygienic behaviour, by artificial insemination and free mating. The maintenance of Pannonian bee lines is a significant problem in Hungarian bee breeding, from the increasing number of introduced foreign breed bees (Italian, buckfast and their hybrids), therefore DNA marker tests are performed to assess breed purity and kinship relationships (genetic distances). and breeding program can use. In addition, hygienic 24-hour liquid nitrogen freezing tests are performed to assess the hygienic behavior of families. The use of hygienic bee lines can significantly reduce the number of anti-mite treatments and the amount of chemicals, and with stronger healthy families, honey production is more profitable.
We have successfully developed non-invasive genotyping of mothers (using male brood) to measure the purity of Pannonian origin, resulting in pure Pannonian bees after crosses (artificial insemination). Hygienic selection was carried out on the best performing colonies from the KTV colonies, resulting in the selection of very well foraging, hygienic and pure Pannonian bees. In breeding, we continuously select the best families and we do not recommend further breeding of families that do not perform well. Our applied research results are used by the MMOE in its breeding programme.
Genetic monitoring of predators
Background to the topic:
Modern genomic and genetic studies of domestic species open up new research opportunities, the results of which can be used in carnivore management, habitat monitoring, climate protection and law enforcement. From non-invasive samples (hair, waste, urine, saliva, etc.) without disturbing the wildlife, it is possible to identify the species, the individual or its fauna. Population genetic analysis of wild species can provide an idea of the actual relationships with domestic species and their "genetic purity", i.e. whether they are interbred with other domesticated species (domestic pig vs. wild boar, domestic cat vs. wild cat, grey wolf vs. dog, etc.).
Genetic monitoring studies of large carnivores in Hungary are carried out in cooperation with the Bükk National Park from various animal tissue samples, mainly hair and faeces. The carnivores studied are: i) grey wolf, dog, golden jackal; ii) wild cat, domestic cat; iii) Eurasian lynx, and iv) brown bear. For genotyping, multiplex reactions of STR (microsatellite) markers were constructed and optimized. The resulting unique STR profiles were used for individual identification and for calculating the minimum number of the species’ population. Once a sufficient sample number was obtained, the genetic diversity of the populations was assessed and the relatedness of the individuals was evaluated.
The group's main publications:
Development of Wild Boar Species-Specific DNA Markers for a Potential Quality Control and Traceability Method in Meat Products.
Szemethy D, Mihalik B, Frank K, Nagy T, Újváry D, Kusza S, Szemethy L, Barta E, Stéger, V*
Food Anal. Methods. 2021, Nov; 14(1):18-27. doi.org/10.1007/s12161-020-01840-1
Population Genetic Structure of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in the Carpathian Basin.
Mihalik B, Frank K, Astuti PK, Szemethy D, Szendrei L, Szemethy L, Kusza S*, Stéger V*
Genes. 2020 Oct 14;11(10):1194 doi.org/10.3390/genes11101194
Mining the red deer genome (CerEla1.0) to develop X-and Y-chromosome-linked STR markers.
Frank K, Bana NÁ, Bleier N, Sugár L, Nagy J, Wilhelm J, Kálmán Z, Barta E, Orosz L, Horn P, Stéger V*
PLoS One. 2020 Nov 23;15(11):e0242506. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242506
The red deer Cervus elaphus genome CerEla1.0: sequencing, annotating, genes, and chromosomes.
Bana NÁ, Nyiri A, Nagy J, Frank K, Nagy T, Stéger V, Schiller M, Lakatos P, Sugár L, Horn P, Barta E, Orosz L*
Mol Genet Genomics. 2018 Jun;293(3):665-684. doi: 10.1007/s00438-017-1412-3.
The presence of Balkan and Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus) mitochondrial DNA lineages in the Carpathian Basin.
Frank K, Bleier N, Tóth B, Sugár L, Horn P, Barta E, Orosz L, Stéger V*
Mamm Biol. 2017 Apr 86(1): 48-55. doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2017.04.005
Genome sequencing and analysis of Mangalica, a fatty local pig of Hungary.
Molnár J, Nagy T, Stéger V, Tóth G, Marincs F, Barta E.
BMC Genomics. 2014 Sep 5;15(1):761. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-761. PMID:
The effect of LacI autoregulation on the performance of the lactose utilization system in Escherichia coli.
Semsey S, Jauffred L, Csiszovszki Z, Erdossy J, Stéger V, Hansen S, Krishna S.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Jul;41(13):6381-90. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt351.
Introgression and isolation contributed to the development of Hungarian Mangalica pigs from a particular European ancient bloodline.
Marincs F, Molnár J, Tóth G, Stéger V, Barta E.
Genet Sel Evol. 2013 Jul 1;45(1):22. doi: 10.1186/1297-9686-45-22.
Antler development and coupled osteoporosis in the skeleton of red deer Cervus elaphus: expression dynamics for regulatory and effector genes.
Stéger V, Molnár A, Borsy A, Gyurján I, Szabolcsi Z, Dancs G, Molnár J, Papp P, Nagy J, Puskás L, Barta E, Zomborszky Z, Horn P, Podani J, Semsey S, Lakatos P, Orosz L.
Mol Genet Genomics. 2010 Oct;284(4):273-87. doi: 10.1007/s00438-010-0565-0.
Gene expression dynamics in deer antler: mesenchymal differentiation toward chondrogenesis.
Gyurján I Jr, Molnár A, Borsy A, Stéger V, Hackler L Jr, Zomborszky Z, Papp P, Duda E, Deák F, Lakatos P, Puskás LG, Orosz L
Mol Genet Genomics. 2007 Mar;277(3):221-35. doi: 10.1007/s00438-006-0190-0.
The main applications of the group:
- Increasing the productivity of domestic rabbit breeding by genomic methods (NKFIA 2017-1.3.1-VKE-2017-00026) (supervisors: Dr. Endre Barta, Dr. László Hiripi , Dr. Viktor Stéger , 2018-2021)
- Ministry of Agriculture MMNP applied research application (§ 27 of Decree 57/2019. (XIII.14) AM) (supervisor: Dr. Viktor Stéger , 2019-2021)
Members of the group
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Nóra Ninausz, assistant research fellow, PhD student |
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Árpád Fehér Péter, assistant research fellow, Doctoral candidate M.Sc.: Agricultural Engineer for Environmental Management, Szent István University, MKK, 2014-2016 Phone: +36-28/430-494 |
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Bettina Hegedűs, research assistant, MSc student |
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Evelin Racskó, laboratory assistant |
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