“Genomics 101”

David Bailey, Ph.D.President & CEO

Genome Alberta

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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

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

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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)

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

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

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

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

Livestock Genomics: Potential Roles

Food Quality & Consumer Confidence–Animal & breed identity/ authenticity–Product traceability & Consumer Confidence

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

Leptin - fat deposition / DMI DGAT – milk production BHGR – milk components Thyroglobulin - marbling Calpastatin - tenderness Calpain - tenderness Somatostatin -- marbling

Important Genes Affecting Production Traits

1. What are the new technologies?

2. What are the beef industry priorities for using these genomic tools?

Previous Tools Canadian Animal Pedigree Act

Performance Testing (ROP)

EPDs

Ultrasound

Electronic Identification

New Technologies are Available

Genetic Markers/Parentage

Whole Genomes Sequenced

Next-Generation Sequencers

Bioinformatics

Epigenetics

DNA-Based Diagnostics on a Chip

GrowthFeed Efficiency Disease

ResistanceCarcass Traits

Branding

• Source Verification• Traceability

• Breeding• Management & Selection

Courtesy of MMI Genomics

Delta Genomics

50K Panel

3K Panel

Potential Areas of

Interest Breed improvement Growth rate Feed efficiency Carcass merit Animal welfare Zoonoses Product verification Others ?

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

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

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

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)

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

Breeding is a lot like playing poker – it has

a lot to do with probabilities.

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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

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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