Functional genomics to enhance aflatoxin resistance in poultry

Complete elimination of AFB1 in turkey feed is not possible, innovative methods are needed to protect turkeys against the numerous diseases exacerbated by this feed contaminant. Developing mechanism-based genetic markers to increase resistance of poultry to AFB1 represents an achievable, cost-effective, and efficient strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with numerous diseases of significant economic impact to the poultry industry. Our analysis of the transcriptome response to AFB1 challenge between domestic and wild turkeys in liver, spleen and intestinal tissues will identify numerous targets for gene regulation and better characterize the physiological response of turkeys exposed to AFB1.