BRINGING POWERFUL GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN THE REACH OF EVERY COMPANY IN THE GLOBAL AQUACULTURE SUPPLY CHAIN.

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1 BRINGING POWERFUL GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN THE REACH OF EVERY COMPANY IN THE GLOBAL AQUACULTURE SUPPLY CHAIN.

2 XELECT LTD 3 XELECT LTD GENETIC SOLUTIONS FOR AQUACULTURE Aquaculture operations are beginning to run into space and resource constraints that will soon force the industry to increase production through efficiency and improved techniques, rather than sheer expansion. One of the most promising approaches to increasing the efficiency and productivity of aquaculture operations is the utilization of genetic technologies. Fish Farming International March 2014, Issue 3, p.20 Rapid advances in molecular biology and genome sequencing technology are beginning to redefine the art of the possible in healthcare and agriculture. In aquaculture molecular science is providing new tools for disease control, feed development, health and environmental monitoring. Most importantly it also brings powerful methods for genetic selection which are transforming the performance, sustainability and profitability of fish farming. Xelect Ltd is at the forefront of these advances and is dedicated to providing the genetic products and specialist services your business needs at a competitive price using the latest robotics and molecular biology equipment.

3 4 COMPANY HISTORY COMPANY HISTORY 5 COMPANY HISTORY Xelect is a spin-out company from the School of Biology at University of St Andrews in Scotland. It had its origins in the academic research group of Professor Ian Johnston FRSE a leading international authority of the physiology and genetics of fish muscle growth and quality and builds on several decades of collaboration with leading companies in the aquaculture sector including Marine Harvest, BioMar, Ewos Innovation, and Young s Seafood. The company was co-founded with Dr Tom Ashton a former PhD student and post-doctoral research fellow. Research on the genetic basis of growth, fillet yield and flesh quality in Atlantic salmon supported by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council was commercialised with follow-on funding. Xelect benefits from the continued strong relationship with one of the UK s leading universities.

4 6 SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT 7 SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT VALIDATED GENETIC ASSAYS FOR MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION Xelect has experience in all the methods of broodstock improvement currently employed by the aquaculture industry. We have particular expertise and resources for work on Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and Nile Tilapia, but are keen to take on projects with other species. The company offers the following products and services: VALIDATED GENETIC ASSAYS FOR MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION MARKER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FAMILY SELECTION SERVICES In some cases natural sequence variation in just a few genes can have a large effect on traits of commercial interest. Our lead product is an assay for genetic variation in two genes involved in protein turnover and muscle development which can be used to select broodstock producing offspring with 3.6% higher fillet yield relative to unselected fish, worth around 500/tonne at current prices. The markers have been validated in more than 2,600 salmon from three major producers in Europe and Chile and licenced to SalmoBreed A/S and Landcatch Natural Selection. We provide a fast and efficient service to identify fish for breeding. HIGH FILLET YIELD SUPERIOR TEXTURE OMEGA 3 CONTENT PIGMENT RETENTION GROWTH RATE We also have markers available for licensing in Atlantic salmon which are associated with substantial reductions in fillet gaping and soft flesh - major causes of downgrading losses during secondary processing. Our marker research and development program utilises both candidate gene approaches based on biological knowledge and genome-wide surveys of sequence variation. The company has received Technology Strategy Board funding and a SMART: SCOTLAND award from Scottish Enterprise. Products are in development for improved fillet yield in rainbow and Nile Tilapia and enhanced growth rate, flesh quality and nutritional value in Atlantic salmon, particularly in relation to increased omega-3 fatty acid and carotenoid pigment retention.

5 8 SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT SUPPORTING BROODSTOCK IMPROVEMENT 9 FAMILY SELECTION SERVICES Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are repeating sequences of 2-6 base pairs of DNA that often show high levels of intra-specific polymorphism. This latter feature makes them ideal for determining paternity and for population genetics studies and they are the tool of choice for family selection and stock identification programs. Xelect provides a fast and cost effective solution to paternity assignment using microsatellite markers in support of family selection programs in all the main aquaculture species. We use well characterised primers and design multiplex PCR assays to reduce genotyping costs. Typical turnaround time is 2-3 weeks. MARKER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Xelect also offers its full range of genomics expertise to companies wishing to develop their own intellectual property in marker assisted selection e.g. for disease resistance. We provide advice on collecting trait values, genomic analysis, experimental design, statistical analysis and validation strategies. This is a highly bespoke service which can be tailored to your specific requirements. It is amenable to any trait which is variable and heritable and is available for all species regardless of whether they have a sequenced genome. We also provide a comprehensive service for the discovery and validation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in new species. Polymorphic markers are guaranteed! The markers come with all the information required to publish in a public data base or primer note if this is what you require. Xelect aims to provide a fast, customised and cost effective service tailored to your needs. Typical delivery time is 2-3 months.

6 10 SEX DETERMINATION GENOTYPING OF SNPs AND QTLs 11 SEX DETERMINATION GENOTYPING OF SNPs AND QTLs Xelect offers a rapid DNA-based assay for sex determination in Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and Arctic charr either from genomic DNA or tissue samples from eyed-eggs, fin clips or scales stored in ethanol. The service is particularly useful in broodstock management e.g. enabling early identification of any male fish that are in excess of requirements therefore avoiding feeding and husbandry costs. Xelect provides high quality genotyping services of SNPs based on Taq-man qpcr assays. We will design the assays and provide full statistical support for the analysis. Our dedicated customer service team will ensure you can make timely and informed breeding decisions. We aim to complete small jobs (<2000 assays) within a few days and larger jobs (20,000 50,000 assays) within 3 weeks of sample receipt.

7 12 TRIPLOIDY TESTING GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS 13 TRIPLOIDY TESTING Xelect provides a fast, efficient and inexpensive ploidy testing service based on flow cytometry using DNA-specific fluorescence. Just send us fertilised eggs, fin clips or whole fry and we will provide a test certificate the next day based on 50 or 100 samples per batch. Triploidy testing can be successfully undertaken even before pigmentation of the eyes providing breeders with quality assurance and an important tool for managing their production. Our ploidy testing service is available for all species. Current customers for this service include AquaSearch Ova, Troutlodge and Allenbrook Trout Farms. GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS Xelect has a highly experienced team in gene expression analysis with numerous publications in leading international journals. We offer a full service of primer design and validation including sequencing of amplicons and reference gene analysis using both SYBR Green and custom Taq-man assays. Potential applications include monitoring stress and/or immune status and the activation of specific molecular pathways e.g. in diet development. For all the above services please contact us on info@xelect.co.uk to enquire about prices. Substantial discounts are available for larger jobs and/or long term contracts.

8 14 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND DISEASE DIAGNOSIS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND DISEASE DIAGNOSIS 15 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND DISEASE DIAGNOSIS DNA barcoding is a powerful tool that enables the accurate identification of biological samples to species level using the analysis of short genetic markers. Even very closely related species that are difficult to identify using morphological criteria can be readily distinguished using barcoding sequences from 16S, mitochondrial Cytochrome b, or the Cytochrome c Oxidase I, control region as appropriate. You supply a tissue, blood, hair or scat sample frozen, dried or in ethanol and we will identify the species and provide a certificate of authentication. Recent projects include the identification of an invasive limpet species for the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal Advisory Trust and the determination of sex and diet of grey seals from scats for the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews. Xelect has extensive experience of environmental DNA (edna) analysis of water samples. Most or all organisms shed DNA from issues, faeces, mucus, gametes or spores which then becomes dissolved in the water and can be detected using highly sensitive bar coding assays. Xelect provides a convenient kit for water sampling and the customer returns dried filters for analysis. Potential applications include the monitoring of invasive species and pathogen detection in or around fish farms.

9 16 FLESH QUALITY ANALYSIS FLESH QUALITY ANALYSIS 17 FLESH QUALITY ANALYSIS Xelect provides a comprehensive flesh quality analysis for fish farmers and processors including an assessment of gaping, fillet firmness and tensile strength using a TA.XT.plus mechanical texture analyser, blood spots and lacing. We have considerable expertise in advanced texture analysis and we invented and developed the tensile test method now widely used by industry. Xelect offers an overnight service for quality control as well as long-term monitoring programs design to inform decisions on the optimal time for harvesting to minimise downgrading losses during secondary processing.

10 18 KEY PEOPLE KEY PEOPLE 19 KEY PEOPLE Prof Ian A. Johnston CEO CEO Ian A. Johnston is also Chandos Professor and Director of the Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews Scotland. Author of more than 350 research publications he is the most cited person in Aquaculture in Google Scholar. Honours include the Scientific Medal of the Zoological Society of London (1984) and election to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland s National Academy in He is a former Director of the Gatty Marine Laboratory ( ), Director of the Company of Biologists and member of the Natural Environmental Research Council ( ) where he chaired the Marine Science & Technology Board. From he was President of the Society for Experimental Biology, the largest not-for-profit organisation for Experimental Biology in Europe and publisher of several leading international journals. Ian is a co-founder of Xelect. Dr Daniel Macqueen CONSULTANT IN FISH GENOMICS CONSULTANT IN FISH GENOMICS Dr Daniel Macqueen is a Lecturer in Biosciences at the University of Aberdeen and a leading researcher on fish genomics, with particular expertise on the evolution and functional consequences of whole genome duplication in salmonids. Dan obtained his PhD degree and carried out two postdoctoral fellowships with Ian Johnston at St Andrews. Dr Tom Ashton EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dr Tom Ashton is co-inventor of the Xelect genetic markers and of the tensile method of texture analysis. He has broad experience in marine biology, aquaculture and molecular biology. Tom obtained a PhD from University of St Andrews in 2011, with a thesis entitled The genetic basis of flesh quality traits in farmed Atlantic salmon. Tom is a co-founder of Xelect. Stephen Carmichael SENIOR SCIENTIST SENIOR SCIENTIST Stephen Carmichael has extensive professional experience within the international farm animal research community, employing novel highthroughput technologies in the study of gene expression and genetic variation. He obtained a PhD from the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling in 2013 for a thesis entitled An investigation into the molecular determinants of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837)) susceptibility to the antiparasitic drug emamectin benzoate.

11 Graphic Design: CONTACT Xelect Ltd Scottish Oceans Institute East Sands // St Andrews Fife // KY16 8LB SCOTLAND // UK Tel +44 (0) Xelect Limited is a company registered in Scotland. No.SC438223