Researchers in the United States, Australia, Britain and New Zealand will work together to map the genome (genetic composition) of sheep, which could improve meat and fiber production as well as animal health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday.

Utah State University (USU) is the lead institution in this International Sheep Genome Sequencing Consortium, which was provided $1 million in 2005 by the USDA. This is the second National Research Initiative grant awarded to Noelle Cockett, Ph.D., interim provost at USU. She also received a $395,000 grant in 2002 for the development of a sheep genome radiation hybrid map.

The United Kingdoms Genesis Faraday and Meat and Livestock Australia also provided funding for this project.

Mapping the sheep genome will lead to advances in food and fiber production and identification of important traits in animal health and disease resistance, stated USDA undersecretary for research, education and economics, Joseph Jen, Ph.D. International collaborations like these are vital for promoting worldwide use and understanding of important scientific information.

A map of the sheep genome will offer enormous possibilities for pin-pointing genetic controls for economically important production traits, as well as disease issues, commented Lyndon Irwin, Ph.D., chair of the American Sheep Industry Associations Research and Education Council.

The Consortium expects to complete an initial map by March 31, 2006, but funding will continue through June 2008 for appropriate analysis of the map.

Source: ASI Weekly
May 20, 2005

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