History and Mission of ABC
The
Virginia General Assembly established the Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding
Technology Center (ABC) at VIMS in 1997, in recognition of the role that
genetic research and selective breeding play in aquaculture development.
ABC is the first genetics program to focus on shellfish (e.g., clams, oysters,
scallops), and one of the first dedicated centers for breeding marine species.
ABC Facilities to support long-term breeding efforts include the Gloucester Point Hatchery on the main VIMS campus and the soon-to-be-constructed Kauffman Aquaculture Center (KAC) in Topping. Expansion of ABC's molecular genetics program will coincide with construction of VIMS' Brooke-Davis Hall replacement. At that time ABC will upgrade its instrumentation to become the leading genomics-research center for the Eastern oyster, with plans expand its oyster genomics program into one of the most significant efforts in the world.
ABC research proceeds on two broad fronts. The first is genetic study and selective breeding of the native oyster to make it more tolerant to the oyster diseases MSX and Dermo. The second is assessment and testing of non-native species. The current focus of ABC's non-native research is evaluation of the commercial potential and ecological risks of the Suminoe oyster Crassostrea ariakensis. Use of non-native species or their genetic material is widespread in agriculture and could play a similarly important role in aquaculture.
ABC
complements the formal training available in VIMS' Department
of Fisheries and is an integral component in VIMS' aquaculture core
program. Research opportunities for
graduate students and post-docs are available through partial ABC support
or through research grants awarded to ABC faculty. Internships for undergraduates
are also available at hatchery or field locations during the breeding season.