Genomics is the study of an organism's entire genetic makeup. New genomic technologies allow cattle producers to select for economically important traits like growth rate, feed efficiency, and disease resistance. The beef industry is interested in using these tools to improve breed performance and validate superior cattle through traits like growth, carcass quality, and animal welfare. Genomic data could be integrated with performance records to enhance selection accuracy and identify new traits of economic value.

1. “Genomics 101”
David Bailey, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Genome Alberta

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4. What is Genomics?
 Genetic information is contained with DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic
acids)
 Each plant, animal or bacteria carries its entire
genetic code inside almost every one of its cells
 Genomics is the discipline that aims to decipher
and understand the entire genetic information
content of an organism
 Genomics marked the beginning of a new age in
biology and medicine

5. What is a Gene?
Genes are both units of inheritance and encoded messages for
the creation of a functional unit in a cell (usually a protein, but
sometimes functional RNA).
What is a Genome?
This term refers both to the full set of genes carried by a single
organism and to that carried by that organism’s species. The
precise ordering of As, Ts, Cs and Gs in organisms’ genomes
is the foundation of life’s diversity.
Concept of Dominant vs. Recessive Genes

6. 25,000
metabolite

14. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)

15. Some Interesting Genome
Facts
 Human Genome contains about 3 billion
basepairs
 Corn Genome contains about 2.6 billion
basepairs but…….
 Wheat Genome contains more than 16 billion
basepairs
Not all genetic information encodes for
functional molecules or life functions

16. Cont’d… Some Interesting Genomics
Facts
 Humans only have 20% more genes than worms
 Around 99% of our genes have counterparts in
mice
 Our genetic overlap with chimpanzees is about
97.5%
 The genetic difference between one person and
another is less than 0.1 %
 But because only a few regions of DNA actively
encode life functions, the real difference between
one person and another is only 0.0003 percent

17. More Interesting Facts
 Human Genome:
- Took 12 years to complete at a cost of US $3 billion
 Mouse Genome:
- Took 3 years to complete at a cost of US $300
million
 Bovine Genome:
- Took about 1 year at an estimated cost of US $30
million

18. Livestock Genomics: Potential Roles
 Breeding and Selection
– Parentage & Performance testing of breeding stock
– DNA based selection of economically important traits:
• Environmentally-sensitive traits (e.g. methane production)
• Behavioural traits (e.g. docility and pain sensitivity)
• Nutritional traits (e.g. milk and meat composition)
• Animal health traits (e.g. disease resistance)
• Genomic information for crossbreeding and heterosis
– Segregation of animals based on desirable attributes
 Food Quality & Consumer Confidence
–Animal & breed identity/ authenticity
–Product traceability & Consumer Confidence

19. Chromosome Numbers in
Different Species
Common Name Genus and Species Diploid Chromosome
Number
Buffalo Bison bison 60
Cat Felis catus 38
Cattle Bos taurus, B. indicus 60
Dog Canis familiaris 78
Donkey E. asinus 62
Goat Capra hircus 60
Horse Equus caballus 64
Human Homo sapiens 46
Pig Sus scrofa 38
Sheep Ovis aries 54

20. Important Genes Affecting
Production Traits
 Leptin - fat deposition / DMI
 DGAT – milk production
 BHGR – milk components
 Thyroglobulin - marbling
 Calpastatin - tenderness
 Calpain - tenderness
 Somatostatin -- marbling

21. 1. What are the new technologies?
2. What are the beef industry
priorities for using these
genomic tools?

22. Previous Tools
 Canadian Animal Pedigree Act
 Performance Testing (ROP)
 EPDs
 Ultrasound
 Electronic Identification

23. New Technologies are Available
 Genetic Markers/Parentage
 Whole Genomes Sequenced
 Next-Generation Sequencers
 Bioinformatics
 Epigenetics

24. DNA-Based Diagnostics on a Chip
• Breeding • Source
• Management & Branding Verification
Selection • Traceability
Feed Efficiency Disease
Growth Resistance
Carcass Traits
Courtesy of MMI Genomics

25. Delta Genomics
 50K Panel
 3K Panel

26. Potential Areas of Interest
 Breed improvement
 Growth rate
 Feed efficiency
 Carcass merit
 Animal welfare
 Zoonoses
 Product verification
 Others ?

27. Computer capability in Alberta
associated with oil and gas
industry via seismic data

28. Benefits
 Data management and integration of
genomic data into evaluation systems
 Enhance our accuracy of selection or
to identify new traits
 Identify superior cattle and provide
validation to customers

29. Cont’d … Benefits
 Rapid integration of:
– different kinds of feed (management)
– rumen microflora
– health records and samples on
individual animals, and
– Birth, growth, and carcass data upon
termination

30. Reproductive or Health
Technologies
 Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
- Checking the fertilized egg for mutations
 Gene Enhancement
- Could include inserting genes to create the ‘best’
expression possible
 Treatments for monogenic diseases (single gene
mutation or the more challenging multigenic
disorders)

31. Cont’d … Reproductive or Health
Technologies
 Gut Microflora
- Introducing or eliminating specific microbial
communities
 Gene Regulation
- Possibility of switching genes on and off in response
to environmental stimuli

32. Breeding is a lot like
playing poker – it has a lot
to do with probabilities.

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37. Summary
 New technologies offer new opportunities for
the cattle industry
 Expression of traits or disease resistance can
be influenced by:
– pre-partum environment
– prepubertial environment
– gut or rumen microflora
– Feed, stress, exercise
 Real competition will come from other
protein sources

38. Cont’d … Summary
 Opportunity to conduct some genomic trials
and identify individuals with superior
expression
 Apply genomic tools such as proposed in the
new Alberta Livestock & Meat Strategy, and
utilize the services of genomics provider
companies
 Ultimate goal is to differentiate cattle in the
market place and add value

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