STAY UP TO DATE

One step closer to understanding tonic immobility

Certain animal behaviors can be explained by genetic factors but finding out the molecular mechanisms behind them is a lot more difficult. Understanding them can lead to knowledge about how behavior is controlled by genes, however.

In a recent study enabled by the SciLifeLab NGI, researchers from Linköping University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Edinburg, investigated “tonic immobility”, a behavior where animals enter a natural state of paralysis to avoid predators, in chickens.

By mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), a segment of DNA containing multiple genes that can all be associated with a phenotype, the researchers identified five candidate genes in both domestic and wild chickens. Identifying the genes is a big step towards fully understanding the molecular mechanisms behind tonic immobility behavior.


STAY UP TO DATE

Last updated: 2019-06-05

Content Responsible: admin(website@scilifelab.se)

Help Us Improve!
We want to better match our services with your needs—take our short survey and help shape SciLifeLab’s digital future. You can also join our user panel for occasional feedback opportunities and early access to new tools.
Help Us Improve!
We want to better match our services with your needs—take our short survey and help shape SciLifeLab’s digital future. You can also join our user panel for occasional feedback opportunities and early access to new tools.