Science & technology
Crossbreeding, genomics, and resilient shellfish
Pacific Hybreed specializes in the research, growth, and development of crossbred hybrid oysters — tracking survival, yield, and other traits to reliably reproduce the best hybrid combinations.
Production of hybrid oysters involves crossing inbred parent lines to create a variety of hybrids. By tracking desirable traits for a whole set of hybrids, we determine the best combination and reliably reproduce it by repeated crossbreeding of its inbred parents.
Pacific Hybreed founder Dennis Hedgecock co-authored the publication of the Pacific oyster genome in 2012 and has developed genome-based tools for discovering and mapping genes of interest to oyster aquaculture. Genomic tools can greatly accelerate breeding programs.