Gene variant in pigs may open up for less use of antibiotics
A variant of the FUT1 gene has been shown to be able to protect pigs' intestines against E. coli. This knowledge may be used proactively in the efforts to cut back on antibiotics.
Researchers from Aarhus University have identified new mechanisms for a gene that might help piglets to get rid of the weaning diarrhea without the use of antibiotics.
The gene is known as FUT because it codes for a variant of the protein fucosyltranseferase 1, which especially has the effect that it prevents the harmful E. coli bacteria to latch on to the intestine.
Read more (in Danish)
Read also the articles in English:
- Can we use genetic variations to reduce the use of antibiotics?
- Genetic selection may be used to control pathogen susceptibility and the composition of the gut microbiota
Link to the scientific article in Glycobiology:
For further information, please contact
Senior Researcher Emøke Bendixen
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Aarhus University, Denmark
ebx@mbg.au.dk
Mobil: +45 23847547