The Eimeria tenella Project

Contact

Matin Shirley
Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Newbury, Berkshire
email shirley@bbsrc.ac.uk

Molecular karyotyping

The molecular karyotype has been defined by PFGE and an estimated 14 chromosomes of between 1 and >7 Mbp in size. Runs to separate these chromosomes take 14 days.

Linkage mapping

The beginnings of an RFLP linkage map have been established through the inheritance of 70 polymorphic DNA markers in the cloned progeny of a cross made between two parent strains charracterised by complementary phenotypes. The markers give 13 linkage groups and several other markers cannot yet be placed with a linkage group.

Libraries

A gridded YAC library containing 3100 clones has been made. Inserts range in size from 70 Kbp to around 500 Kbp and, in theory, the library provides a coverage of 10x genome (the E. tenella genome is around 50-55 Mbp). The YAC library is currently being validated and, despite the inevitable level of chimerism and instability, initial data suggest a library of 6x genome coverage.

In addition, a gridded cosmid library has been produced.

Physical mapping

The development of contig maps of the smallest chrmosomes has begun.