Genetic control of Reproductive Longevity in Mouse and Validation of a genetic marker panel to predict Fertility and Longevity traits in Holstein Dairy Cattle

Reproductive Longevity (RL) is a complex biological trait under the control of many genes. In Cattle, RL is a key productivity factor, especially for dairy cows. The proposed research aims to identify RL-controlling genes in mammals using: 1) a unique model system, selectively-bred mouse lines that reproduce twice as long and have twice as many litters as matched control lines and 2) cattle (bulls) with High or Low genetic merit for Longevity. The project Partner, Performance Genomics Inc. (PGI), is applying whole genome mapping and sequencing technologies (outsourced) to generate complete genomic datasets for mice and cattle. This will result in a set of DNA markers that will be validated using DNA and data from 3,000 bulls. The internship project will apply bioinformatics tools and approaches to “mine” the genomics data with the goal of selecting and ranking candidates for genes and mutations responsible for RL in mouse and/or cattle. The end result for PGI will be commercial DNA Markers tests for RL for livestock breeding, initially for Holstein cattle.

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Beiko

Student:

Partner:

Performance Genomics Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: