Chris Ashwell
Faculty Memberships:
Biotechnology Program
Functional Genomics
Poultry Science
Educational Background:
B.S. Biochemistry and Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992
Ph.D. Biochemistry, Wake Forest University, 1997
Research Interests:
Our major research focus is to identify the gene(s) underlying traits of economic importance in poultry.
These efforts include the use of resource populations and the collection of relevant phenotypes to search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) which may be used to incorporate marker assisted selection into commercial operations. A recent resource population that has been developed consists of reciprocal crosses of lines divergently selected for antibody response to sheep red blood cells. The F2 generation of this population is currently being genotyped in an effort to identify QTL associated with antibody response and other traits. Other efforts include the use of functional genomics to evaluate gene expression profiles using both microarray approaches as well as real-time quantitative PCR. These approaches have been used recently to evaluate the response of chickens to nutritional manipulation in ovo, post hatch, and throughout the growth period.
Gene expression studies have been used to identify candidate genes for the cause of hyperpigmentation in the Silkie breed of chicken. The expression patterns of functional candidate genes have also been investigated for the cause of ascites syndrome in lines of chickens divergently selected for resistance or susceptibility to ascites.
Recent environmental concerns have focused on reduction of animal wastes, which may be addressed by producing more efficient livestock. Our studies are some of the first to focus on nutritional and thus environmental impact of poultry production from a genetic point of view. The outcome of this research will provide a means to improve the innate ability of poultry to utilize environmentally important nutrients such as Nitrogen and Phosphorous, therefore reducing their excretion, and therefore greatly aid in reducing the cost of poultry litter disposal and in maintaining the productivity of the poultry industry.
This multi-faceted approach provides much needed information regarding the genetic location (marker) and or possible causative genes responsible for traits which can have a significant impact on the poultry industry. The ability to make selection decisions using these markers will allow the poultry industry to accelerate genetic improvement of commercial stocks.
Publications (last 5 years):
Molecular genotype identification of the Gallus gallus major histocompatibility complex. Fulton JE, Juul-Madsen HR, Ashwell CM, McCarron AM, Arthur JA, O'sullivan NP, Taylor RL Jr. Immunogenetics. Vol 58, no.5-6, pp. 407-421. Jun 2006.
Evaluation of the broiler's ability to adapt to an early moderate deficiency of phosphorus and calcium. Yan F, Angel R, Ashwell C, Christman M. Poultry Science. Vol. 84, no. 8, pp. 1232-1241. Aug 2005.
Expressed sequence tag analysis of Eimeria-stimulated intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in chickens. Min W, Lillehoj HS, Ashwell CM, van Tassell CP, Dalloul RA, Matukumalli LK, Han JY, Lillehoj EP. Moleculary Biotechnology. Vol 30, no. 2, pp. 143-150. Jun 2005
Chicken quantitative trait loci for growth and body composition associated with the very low density apolipoprotein-II gene. Li H, Deeb N, Zhou H, Ashwell CM, Lamont SJ. Poultry Science. Vol 84, no. 5, pp. 697-703. May 2005.
Dietary metformin effects on in vitro and in vivo metabolism in the chicken Rosebrough RW, Ashwell CM. Nutrition Research. Vol. 25, pp. 491-497. Mar 2005.
Insulin-like growth factor-I gene polymorphism associations with growth, body composition, skeleton integrity, and metabolic traits in chickens. Zhou H, Mitchell AD, McMurtry JP, Ashwell CM, Lamont SJ. Poultry Science. Vol 84, no. 2, pp. 212-219. Feb 2005.
Plasma clearance and tissue distribution of radiolabeled leptin in the chicken. McMurtry JP, Ashwell CM, Brocht DM, Caperna TJ. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. vol 138, no. 1, pp 27-32. May 2004.
Chicken quantitative trait loci for growth and body composition associated with transforming growth factor-beta genes. Li H, Deeb N, Zhou H, Mitchell AD, Ashwell CM, Lamont SJ. Poultry Science. Vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 347-356. Mar 2003.
Feed restriction significantly alters lipogenic gene expression in broiler breeder chickens. Richards MP, Poch SM, Coon CN, Rosebrough RW, Ashwell CM, McMurtry JP. Journal of Nutrition. Vol. 133, no. 3, pp. 707-715. Mar 2003.
Hypoglycemia and reduced feed intake in broiler chickens treated with metformin. Ashwell CM, McMurtry JP. Poultry Science. Vol. 82, no. 1, pp. 106-110. Jan 2003.
Expression of an uncoupling protein gene homolog in chickens. Evock-Clover CM, Poch SM, Richards MP, Ashwell CM, McMurtry JP. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Vol. 133, no. 2, pp. 345-358. Oct 2002.
