Research in Bovine Genomics

The genetic sequence of the first bovine, a Hereford cow, was published in 2009. This milestone was achieved through an international collaboration with 300 scientists in 25 countries, taking over six years to complete, at a cost of more than $50 million. Since then thousands of bovine sequences have been completed as the cost of the technology continues to decline. Sequence information can be analyzed directly, used for comparing animals within a breed, or for comparing animals across breeds.

One category of genetic difference frequently used for comparison is ‘Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms’ or SNPs (pronounced ‘snips’). SNPs are used as genetic markers to track the ancestral heritage of regions of DNA or of individual animals. SNPs also can be used to predict the likelihood that a given animal will possess an individual or a series of trait(s). The latter can only occur once a SNP or a collection of SNPs is linked to a particular trait.

In our projects, genotype information from a wide range of beef and dairy breeds are used to develop accurate genomic predictions to assess the genetic potential of individual animals for various production, health, and quality traits. This information will, in turn, be used to make genetic improvement in Canada's cattle populations.

Low-density (and low-cost) tests have developed that allow an animal's entire genome to be inferred from a comparatively small number of SNPs, thereby giving valuable information as to its breeding value. Our projects work with scientists (and data) from around the world, as well as leading Canadian seedstock organizations.

Livestock Gentec is currently involved in more than 30 bovine projects, many of which include collaborations with scientists at leading institutions, nationally and internationally. For more information on the individual projects listed below, please contact our management team or the principal investigator(s) directly.