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AN INITIATIVE OF
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RESEARCH PARTNERS  |
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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Primary Industries Research Victoria South Australian Research and Development Institute
ABOUT SHEEPGENOMICSSheepGenomics (www.sheepgenomics.com) is a $30M joint R&D initiative of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) working together with 11 leading research organisations in Australia and New Zealand . AWI and MLA provide their funding through producer levies and supporting research funds from the Australian Federal Government. The research organisations are expected to contribute approximately $20M of additional in-kind funding in the 5-year funding term finishing 30 June 2008 . SheepGenomics is also a core participant in the international Sheep Genome Project which collaborates with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Genesis-Faraday Institute (UK) in developing and sequencing a BAC library and in developing SNPs for genotyping. AIMThe aim of SheepGenomics is to identify genes that underpin sheep health and productivity as well as wool and meat quality then deliver tools to breeders and producers that enable them to accelerate the rate of genetic improvement in their flocks. Discovery teamed with delivery is a core feature of SheepGenomics. Success in this venture will enhance the medium-long term competitiveness and profitability of the Australian sheep industry. By understanding which genes are responsible for regulating specific traits, SheepGenomics will enhance the ability to breed and feed sheep to meet customer demands. New genomic knowledge will also enhance development of new treatments for previously intractable industry problems such as intestinal parasitism. STRUCTURE SheepGenomics is structured in Subprograms to address four key industry areas – meat and wool production and quality, animal health (focused on host resistance to intestinal parasites) and reproduction. These industry Subprograms are supported by a Coretech Subprogram which runs resource flocks and provides bioinformatics and biostatistical services to SheepGenomics’ researchers. The Investment Management Team leads and coordinates the Program and assists in commercialisation of products for industry benefit (see diagram)
RESEARCH OUTPUTS & DELIVERYThe outputs from SheepGenomics will allow breeders and producers to increase the rate of genetic gain in their flocks and manage their animals better in the face of changing environmental and economic conditions. In order to facilitate this delivery to industry, SheepGenomics is working closely with the industry database, Sheep Genetics Australia (SGA, www.sheepgenetics.org.au), and commercial genotyping organisations. These collaborations will provide the means for SGA to become a valuable industry resource for all forms of breeding information, whether derived from quantitative genetics (in the form of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), genotype information from DNA markers and/or diagnostic information relating to phenotypes of interest. In some cases, the genotype and diagnostic information may be integrated with relevant EBVs. ACHIEVMENTSKey outputs to-date include:
Future outputs will include DNA markers for diverse traits and products, such as diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, targeted at genes involved in production and quality of wool and meat, animal health and reproduction. INDUSTRY OUTCOMESA flow of products from SheepGenomics will transform the Australian sheep industry by enabling farmers to breed better sheep faster. Products such as DNA markers, diagnostic tests, therapeutic compounds and vaccines will each have a role to play in the breeding and selection decisions made on-farm, whether at the stud or production flock level. They will enable more accurate assessment of genetic performance of individual animals as well as predicting characteristics of the animal, such as eating quality or parasite resistance status, that are currently difficult to measure.
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