The Genetics of Reading and Language

Recounts how our collaboration with Nick Martin was shaped over two decades, leading to the first studies of predictions from the ‘Dual Route Cascaded’ computational model of reading in twins, and extending into the molecular work, first linkage, fine mapping of genes identified in pedigree studies, into now the genomewide association study era and the first polygenic risk scores for reading and their potential in early clarifying causality and validating interventions, as well as for future global collaborations in improving these predictors and identifying causal variants. We highlight Nick’s warm, future-focused optimism, support and inclusive approach without which none of this would have been possible. The circle of Nick asking, over half a century ago, ‘What genes do you think make some kids get better grades?’ has built a diverse scientific legacy involving thousands of papers and collaborations. The (heritable) traits of curiosity, boldness, warmth, interest in societally important questions, openness to new methods, ambition and collaborative skill to bring into being the infrastructure and samples needed for this research are rare, and we are grateful.

Genomewide Mapping of Selection Signatures and Genes for Extreme Feather Pecking in Two Divergently Selected Laying Hen Lines

Feather pecking (FP) is a longstanding serious problem in commercial flocks of laying hens. It is a highly polygenic trait and the genetic background is still not completely understood. In order to find genomic regions influencing FP, selection signatures between laying hen lines divergently selected for high and low feather pecking were mapped using the intra-population iHS and the inter-population FST approach. In addition, the existence of an extreme subgroup of FP hens (EFP) across both selected lines has been demonstrated by fitting a mixture of negative binomial distributions to the data and calculating the posterior probability of belonging to the extreme subgroup (pEFP) for each hen. A genomewide association study (GWAS) was performed for the traits pEFP and FP delivered (FPD) with a subsequent post GWAS analysis. Mapping of selection signatures revealed no clear regions under selection. GWAS revealed a region on Chromosome 1, where the existence of a QTL influencing FP is likely. The candidate genes found in this region are a part of the GABAergic system, which has already been linked to FP in previous studies. Despite the polygenic nature of FP, selection on these candidate genes may reduce FP.