We are pleased to receive a grant from the Breed4Food program of STW in the Netherlands.
This 4-year project is a joint effort between the University of Groningen (Prof. Nicolai Petkov and myself) and the University of Wageningen (Prof. Roel Veerkamp and Dr. Bart Ducro).
The project is called SMARTBREED: Smart animal breeding with advanced machine learning
Abstract:
The amount of data that is accumulating over the lifespan of animals is increasing very rapidly, but the technology to analyse it to full potential is lagging behind. We propose to investigate the applicability of advanced machine learning methods to get insight in the variation in phenotypic patterns over time, and in the value of adding data on the life history of an animal to the genomic information to improve the prediction of the animal’s future phenotype.
The key objectives of this project are to:
- Automatically learn a model for the prediction of a given dependent variable, using a given set of independent variables (i.e. genomic information, phenotypes, environmental).
- Determine the value of genomic information in phenotypic prediction throughout the animal’s life
- Determine the probability of ending up in a predefined class
- Recognise and interpret deviations from the typical pattern of phenotypes in relation to the animal’s health status
- Evaluate the relation of deviations from predicted phenotypic patterns with longevity
More information can be found here and here.
Vacancy: PhD candidate on Machine learning methods for predictive analysis with application to animal breeding
Please read further details here regarding the application process.