This study by the Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP) team used whole-genome sequencing of Holstein cattle to identify and characterize thousands of structural variants (SVs) across the genome. The researchers then developed an open, interactive database linking these variants to genes and traits, for wider use amongst the dairy research community.
Keywords
- Holstein cattle
- Genotype
- Phenotype
- Structural variants (SVs)
Research Highlights
- Structural Variants (SVs), or large DNA changes, play an important role in cattle traits but are hard to detect with standard genetic tools
- Researchers identified thousands of SVs using whole-genome sequencing, advancing previous research
- Their new interactive database helps link variants to genes and traits, revealing that most SVs are missed by common genotyping approaches
Editorial Reflections
This study provides a fully interactive database that enables broad access to the results, supporting ongoing efforts to link specific DNA variants to phenotypic variation. It is an excellent example of research with an immediate, tangible outcome that we anticipate will be taken up by the cattle breeding research community in Canada and beyond.
The Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP) aims to create a roadmap and toolbox to reduce GHG emissions in the Canadian dairy industry by 55%, focusing on improving efficiency and animal welfare in dairy production. Contributing authors from the team are (in alphabetical order):
- Christine Baes – Project Lead (Activity 2 Lead), University of Guelph
- Filippo Miglior – Project Lead (Activity 6 Lead), Lactanet & University of Guelph
- Paul Sthothard – Project Lead (Activity 4 Lead), University of Alberta
Curious about Team Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP)’s ongoing work? Visit ndgp.ca to learn more.
Food for Thought: Read the full article here. What opportunities does this public database create for rethinking policy and cattle breeding guidelines in the Canadian context?
References
Grant, J. R., Herman, E. K., Barlow, L. D., Miglior, F., Schenkel, F. S., Baes, C. F., & Stothard, P. (2024). A large structural variant collection in Holstein cattle and associated database for variant discovery, characterization, and application. BMC Genomics, 25, 903. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10812-2
