Avian genomics in evolution, agriculture and health

This special issue highlights current research in avian genomics. Most contributions relate to the chicken as the model bird species, but advances in the genomics of turkey, duck and other birds are also presented. With a mixture of review articles and original research papers, this publication illustrates how advances in avian genomics have impacted on a wide range of disciplines such as cytogenetics, genetics, immunology, evolution and development. The many resources that are now available to researchers are also described. The knowledge gained from the avian genomes is not just applicable to bird species but offers a useful comparative tool that helps further research across many species. The study of the avian genomes is also shown to play an important role in the fields of agriculture and human health, e. g. in respect to avian influenza. Well edited and up-to-date, this issue is recommended reading to scientists working in any of the above-mentioned fields of avian research.