|
|
USDA-funded swine genome sequencing project succeeds in completing first draftAn international team of scientists, funded with a $10 million grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, has completed the first draft of the genome of a domesticated pig. This first draft sequence will spur advancements in swine production and human medicine. "Understanding the swine genome will lead to health advancements in the swine population and accelerate the development of vaccinations for pigs," said Roger Beachy, NIFA director. "This new insight into the genetic makeup of the swine population can help reduce disease and enable medical advancements in both pigs and humans." At 98 percent complete, the draft sequence will allow researchers to pinpoint genes that are useful to pork production or are involved in immunity or other important physiological processes in the pig. It will enhance breeding practices, offer insight into diseases that afflict pigs--and, sometimes, also humans--and will help in efforts to preserve the global heritage of rare, endangered and wild pigs. NIFA, previously the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, provided the $10 million in funding in 2006 to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The total cost was about $24.3 million, with additional support from USDA's Agricultural Research Service and various American, Asian and European funders. UIUC selected a red-haired Duroc pig from a farm at the university to use for the sequencing project. The Duroc now will be among the growing list of domesticated animals that have had their genomes sequenced. Researchers will announce the achievement Nov. 2 at a conference at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK. In addition to the USDA funding, funding and technical support were provided by the European Union SABRE; the Institute for Pig Genetics, Netherlands; INRA Genescope, France; Iowa Pork Producers Association; Iowa State University; Korean National Livestock Research Institute; National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan; National Pork Board, U.S.; North Carolina Pork Council; North Carolina Agricultural Research Service; North Carolina State University; University of Illinois; the UK-based Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (which also performed most of the sequencing); and the UK-based Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
