week 14

Genetics 2 Genomics Applications to Beef Cattle

Presenter: Wellison Diniz, Ph.D., Auburn UniversityField: Agricultural GeneticsCourse: AGRI 300, Assistant Professor, Animal Genomics

Questioning the Audience

Engaging Question: Have YOU ever wondered about the complexities of genetics and its applications?

Efficient Credits

• ABS Global is mentioned for its innovative work in improving genetic efficiency in cattle breeding, focusing on optimizing reproductive performance through advanced genetic technologies.

Fertile Credits

• Fertile credits from ABS Global explore successful breeding programs and genetic selections aimed at enhancing fertility outcomes in beef cattle populations.

K107 853F Credits

• Adaptations linked to K107 853F highlight its significance in genetic evaluation and its contributions to herd improvement strategies, as credited to ABS Global's breeding program.

Coat Colors

• The genetic determination of coat colors reveals intricate polymorphisms in cattle genetics, referencing the work of Nicholas C Kertz. Different color genetics can affect phenotypic traits and are of interest for breed identification and market preference.

The Role of Genetics

• All aspects studied and cited lead back to the underlying principles of genetics; the content is AI generated to provide a comprehensive overview of genetic interactions.

Genotype, Phenotype, and Environment

Formula:

P = G + E + (G*E)

• P: Phenotype

• G: Genotype

• E: Environment

• This formula emphasizes the combined influence of genetic and environmental factors in determining observable traits in cattle.

Genetic Improvement Efforts

• Overview of genetic improvement efforts is cited from the Genus Annual Report 2023, detailing initiatives aimed at increasing productivity, health, and overall livestock quality.

Livestock 2.0

• Describes the transformation of livestock into more fitter, healthier, and productivity-centric animals through genomic advancements and better management practices aimed at sustainability.

Nutritional Challenge

• The discussion introduces the concept of nutritional challenges in livestock development, emphasizing the impact of diet quality on growth performance and health outcomes.

Genomic Data

Statistics:

• 3 billion base pairs

• 22,000 genes

• 44,000 transcripts

• 200,000 SNPs

• These statistics highlight the complexity and richness of genomic data as potentially transformative for livestock genomics, as credited to ABS Global.

Finding Genomic Tool

• The metaphor of "finding a needle in genomic haystacks" emphasizes the rarity and unmatched significance of identifying and utilizing genomic data for practical applications in beef cattle improvement.

Genotype x Environment Interaction

• The interaction model indicates Genotype + Environment = Phenotype, underscoring how the role of DNA can variably express traits in different environments, crucial for tailoring breeding strategies.

Improving Animal Production

• Questions are posed regarding the innovative methods to enhance productivity in livestock, including genetic selection, reproductive technologies, and nutritional optimization.

Understanding Genomics

• Definition: Genomics is the comprehensive study of the entire set of DNA in an organism, utilizing cutting-edge DNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics for analyzing genetic data.

What is Functional Genomics?

• Definition: Functional genomics investigates the interactions among the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, elucidating how these elements contribute to phenotypic outcomes.

Understanding Central Dogma

• Discusses variations affecting gene expression and their connections to various biological processes and disorders, emphasizing the critical understanding needed for effective breeding and health management.

Connection Between Elements

• Reinforces that all components (Genome, Environment, Proteome, Phenotype) are interlinked crucially through Omics, showcasing the importance of a holistic view in genetic studies.

Goals of Genomics

• Overall objective: To enhance understanding of genetic and genomic biology for improving economically important traits, making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

Complexity of Interactions

• Emphasizes the complex interrelationships within biological systems, showcasing the significance of genetics and environmental factors in livestock production.

Applications of Genomics

• Examines how genomic technologies can be applied from genome sequencing to trait improvement in agriculture, facilitating advancements in breeding and management practices.

Genome to Phenome Transition

• G2P: Describes the journey from genome decoding to a comprehensive understanding of phenotypic traits in various organisms, with particular focus on implications for breeding strategies.

Nutritional Influences

• Discusses both maternal and environmental influences on fetal development, emphasizing the interplay of dietary factors in shaping future generations of livestock.

Barker Hypothesis

• Suggests that maternal environment significantly impacts offspring health and development throughout life, providing a framework for understanding long-term effects of prenatal factors.

Critical Development Periods

• Outlines key periods during prenatal and postnatal phases where programming is critical for growth and health, serving as essential windows for interventions to optimize outcomes.

Pregnancy Timeline

• Discusses the stages of fetal growth and physiological changes throughout gestation, providing insight into developmental milestones crucial for healthy cattle production.

Nutritional Mapping for Development

• Explores the contributions of various nutrients to proper developmental programming, vital for offspring growth and future productivity potential.

Maternal Interaction

• Addresses the significance of maternal gene expressions and their interactions with fetal development, highlighting the role of the maternal environment in shaping genetic outcomes.

Differential Gene Expression

• Explains how maternal supplementation can directly affect fetal tissue gene expression, showcasing how identified pathways influence development and health outcomes.

The Role of Developmental Programming

• Elaborates on how early maternal nutrition strategically impacts the offspring's health outcomes in the long term, emphasizing the need for optimization in breeding practices.

Conclusion

• Highlights the complexity of genetics and environmental interactions, especially in the context of livestock breeding and production, underlining the need for an integrated approach to optimization in animal agriculture.