Scientists participating in the Bovine Genome Sequencing Project have mapped the genome of the domestic cow. Completion of the six year project has significant implications for the agricultural, food and health industries.
The Hereford cow (pictured below) is the first livestock animal to have its genome sequenced. “The mammals we have looked at previously have been laboratory animals and humans,” said Kim Worley of Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine. The Bovine Genome Sequencing Project is an international consortium of scientists from 25 countries, including Australia. They found that the Hereford shares 80% of its 22 000 genes with humans, a much higher proportion than common laboratory models such as mice and rats.
The task now is in mapping genotype to phenotype, associating the sequenced genes with specific traits. According to David Adelson of the University of Adelaide, this will allow producers to tell "which livestock will produce superior meat or milk without investing too much money to improve their condition", with monetary dividends for both the food industry and consumers.
The close association between cattle and human genomes can aid research into human health. For instance, cattle rarely contract cancers - so linking specific genes to this characteristic would be beneficial to cancer research. Cattle may also prove to be a superior experimental model for the treatment of other diseases.
The agricultural industry (worth $49 billion in the US) also stands to benefit. US agricultural secretary Tom Vilsack points out that “Understanding the cattle genome ... will allow researchers to understand the genetic basis for disease in domestic cattle and could result in healthier production of meat and milk while reducing producers’ dependence on antibiotics.” Insights into the treatment of livestock diseases can save billions of dollars for the agricultural industry.
Steenhuysen, J 2009, ‘Cattle genes may give clues about human health’, news article 23 April, viewed 25 April 2009,
Snelling WM et al. 2007, ‘A physical map of the bovine genome’, Genome Biology, vol. 8, no. 8, viewed 25 April 2009,
Images:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1141/695547190_6ad6946769_o.jpg
http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2006/08/060819112235.jpg
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