Michel A. J. Georges
Encyclopedia
Michel A. J. Georges is a Belgian biologist and a professor at the University of Liège
.
, Belgium. He received his Doctor in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liège
in 1983, and his M.Sc. in Molecular Biology from the Université libre de Bruxelles
in 1985.
improvement. He has applied his methods to the identification and mapping of genes affecting economically important single-gene (e.g. polled, double-muscling
, callipyge
, weaver, congenital muscular distonia), as well as complex multi-gene traits (e.g. milk and fattening yield and quality, fertility, disease resistance). He has also established working relationships with the major breeding organizations in many countries, helping them to apply the results of his discoveries on a large scale, using so-called marker assisted selection to accelerate the otherwise slow process of farm animal improvement. He is also a pioneer in opening up the field of epigenetics
for animals, a hereditary form that does not conform to simple Mendelian rules. He is considered a giant within the animal genetics and genomics community, both for his genius and for generously sharing his ideas.
in 2007 along with Ronald L. Phillips
of the University of Liège
"for groundbreaking discoveries in genetics and genomics, laying the foundations for improvements in crop and livestock breeding, and sparking important advances in plant and animal sciences".. In 2008 he was awarded the Francqui Prize
.
He is also a member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine.
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
.
Birth and education
Michel A. J. Georges was born in 1959 in SchotenSchoten
Schoten is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Schoten proper. On January 1, 2006 Schoten had a total population of 33,160. The total area is which gives a population density of 1,122 inhabitants per km². Schoten abuts the...
, Belgium. He received his Doctor in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
in 1983, and his M.Sc. in Molecular Biology from the Université libre de Bruxelles
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium. It has 21,000 students, 29% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.-Name:...
in 1985.
Research
Michel A. J. Georges is known for his research in the field of animal genetics and genomics, and in the development of tools and strategies for increasing the efficiency of genome analysis for livestockLivestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
improvement. He has applied his methods to the identification and mapping of genes affecting economically important single-gene (e.g. polled, double-muscling
Myostatin
Myostatin is a secreted TGF beta protein family member that inhibits muscle differentiation and growth. Myostatin is produced primarily in skeletal muscle cells, circulates in the blood and acts on muscle tissue, by binding a cell-bound receptor called the activin type II receptor...
, callipyge
MEG3
MEG3 is a maternally expressed, imprinted long non-coding RNA gene. At least 12 different isoforms of MEG3 are generated by alternative splicing. Expression of MEG3 is lost in cancer cells. It acts as a growth suppressor in tumour cells, and activates p53. A pituitary transcript variant has been...
, weaver, congenital muscular distonia), as well as complex multi-gene traits (e.g. milk and fattening yield and quality, fertility, disease resistance). He has also established working relationships with the major breeding organizations in many countries, helping them to apply the results of his discoveries on a large scale, using so-called marker assisted selection to accelerate the otherwise slow process of farm animal improvement. He is also a pioneer in opening up the field of epigenetics
Epigenetics
In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- -genetics...
for animals, a hereditary form that does not conform to simple Mendelian rules. He is considered a giant within the animal genetics and genomics community, both for his genius and for generously sharing his ideas.
Awards and honors
Michel A. J. Georges was awarded the Wolf Prize in AgricultureWolf Prize in Agriculture
The Wolf Prize in Agriculture is awarded once a year by the Wolf Foundation in Israel. It is one of the six Wolf Prizes established by the Foundation and awarded since 1978; the others are in Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics and the Arts...
in 2007 along with Ronald L. Phillips
Ronald L. Phillips
Ronald L. Phillips is an American biologist and a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota.- Birth and education :Ronald L. Phillips was born in 1940 in the United States. He completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Purdue University. After completing his master's degree, he completed his...
of the University of Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
"for groundbreaking discoveries in genetics and genomics, laying the foundations for improvements in crop and livestock breeding, and sparking important advances in plant and animal sciences".. In 2008 he was awarded the Francqui Prize
Francqui Prize
The Francqui Prize is a prestigious Belgian scholarly and scientific prize, awarded each year since 1933 by the Francqui Foundation in recognition of the achievements of a young Belgian scholar or scientist...
.
He is also a member of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine.