A female Hereford cow named L1 Dominette is the first livestock animal to have a fully sequenced genome. The genome, consisting of over 22000 genes, has taken 6 years to complete and is the work of over 300 scientists from 25 countries. It provides exciting new insights into the biology of cattle and other ruminant animals, with applications extending to human health research and the farming industry.
The genome provides information about the bovine (cow) immune system, which is of great interest to researchers. The study has identified hundreds of genes for immune function which will enable scientists to learn more about response to infectious disease in ruminant animals. A group of genes of particular interest consists of the gamma delta T cell co-receptor genes. The gamma delta T cell is a specific type of white blood cell present in large amounts in the cow, and plays a central role in combatting the diseases tuberculosis and leptospirosis. These diseases can have a severe impact on the cattle farming industry, and an understanding of how the bovine body combats these diseases will be of economic benefit to beef and dairy producers.
Furthermore, many similar immune function genes exist in humans, and developing an understanding of immune response in cattle will give greater insight into the functionality of the human immune system. Another exciting finding is that the bovine genome appears to be more similar to that of humans than the genomes of mice and rats are. This means that cows could provide a more effective model for the study of disease and immune response in humans than traditionally used laboratory rats and mice.
By Keri-Anne Murray
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References:
Newly Sequenced Bovine Genome Aids Health Research. (2009, April 25). Retrieved April 26, 2009, from Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147559.php
