Part of the work to complete this first draft of the cow's genome sequence--the first mammalian farm animal to have its genes mapped out--was completed in collaboration with the University of Alberta (U of A).
"This information is of high importance to scientists working in fields such as evolutionary biology, population genetics, comparative genomics as well as those working in livestock production science," said Dr. Stephen Moore, chair of bovine genomics at the University of Alberta and steering committee member of the international project.
The release of the first draft means that researchers can now begin analyzing the bovine genome to uncover more information about individual genes and their effect on important traits in cattle. The first draft was based on DNA taken from a Hereford, a breed of cattle used in beef production and was produced by sequencing the genome 3.3 times. The final target, which is expected to sequence the genome six times, should be completed sometime in 2005.
The initiative also plans to sequence part of the genomes of additional cattle breeds including the Holstein, Angus, Jersey, Limousin, Norwegian Red and Brahman. That information will help discover genes for improved meat and milk production and to help researchers develop new strategies for protecting cattle from disease. Medical researchers will be able to compare the cow's genome with the human genome sequence in hopes of gaining new insights into human health and disease.
The province of Alberta has already invested more than $1.5 million (Cdn) towards a second phase of the sequencing project which will help define genetic variability in the cattle populations. Moore and his
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Contact: Phoebe Dey
phoebe.dey@ualberta.ca
780-492-0437
University of Alberta
6-Oct-2004