Genomics can be defined as the branch of biology which deals with the molecular structures, functions, evolution and mapping of genomes of any species. It has progressed a lot since its birth in the last decade or so; improving our understanding of the complex biology and genetic mechanisms of animal production systems in a variety of ways that were never before imaginable. With the rapid advancement of next generation sequencing and Chip-array genotyping technologies, it has now become more affordable to generate big data of genome-wide marker sets with large sample sizes. Using genomics data to improve breeding plan for conventional breeding, cross-breeding and conservation breeding of livestock has become an outstanding solution. In animal breeding, the usage of low-to-medium density chip genotyping and genomic prediction has become a huge success, particularly in dairy cattle production. However, the use of whole-genome sequencing level of marker sets for genomic prediction is still limited due to several reasons including cost of sequencing and genotyping, and precise estimation methodology. Meanwhile, the protocol for whole-genome sequencing and genotyping is still under development. It is therefore worth attracting more attention to multi-disciplinary involvement in genomics for the provision of new and better-quality tools which will subsequently having wider applicability in the field of livestock breeding.
In the topic of "Application of Genomics in livestock populations under selection or conservation", there are several key problems which need to be solved. The cost-efficient and upgraded methods for whole-genome sequencing and high-density genotyping in big population genomics are still under development. Currently, researchers are thinking if low-cost low-coverage sequencing taking larger sample sizes could be a solution. The software and pipeline for fast calling variants for this purpose will be a research hotspot. Additionally, the protocol of processing chip data for imputation still has room for improvement. Finally, the statistical methods used throughout, from the whole-genome sequencing and SNP genotyping information to its application in animal breeding, should be addressed. Besides their application in breeding, another major application of genomics might be the genome-wide association studies to identify large-scale whole genome level variants that could lead to better understanding of genetic mechanisms for production, reproduction, health and carcass traits for livestock.
We encourage the submission of articles covering the following topics:
• Usage of genomics information for conservation breeding plan
• Loss of heterozygosity due to breeding compared to indigenous breeds
• Current method to use genomics information for conservation breeding
• Whole genome sequencing of indigenous breeds/variates
• Genome-wide association study for livestock species
• Good practice of imputation from low-density chip to whole genome sequencing level
• Structural and copy number variations analysis in livestock
• Software and pipeline for processing genomics data
• Breeding schemes for selection and/or conservation
Genomics can be defined as the branch of biology which deals with the molecular structures, functions, evolution and mapping of genomes of any species. It has progressed a lot since its birth in the last decade or so; improving our understanding of the complex biology and genetic mechanisms of animal production systems in a variety of ways that were never before imaginable. With the rapid advancement of next generation sequencing and Chip-array genotyping technologies, it has now become more affordable to generate big data of genome-wide marker sets with large sample sizes. Using genomics data to improve breeding plan for conventional breeding, cross-breeding and conservation breeding of livestock has become an outstanding solution. In animal breeding, the usage of low-to-medium density chip genotyping and genomic prediction has become a huge success, particularly in dairy cattle production. However, the use of whole-genome sequencing level of marker sets for genomic prediction is still limited due to several reasons including cost of sequencing and genotyping, and precise estimation methodology. Meanwhile, the protocol for whole-genome sequencing and genotyping is still under development. It is therefore worth attracting more attention to multi-disciplinary involvement in genomics for the provision of new and better-quality tools which will subsequently having wider applicability in the field of livestock breeding.
In the topic of "Application of Genomics in livestock populations under selection or conservation", there are several key problems which need to be solved. The cost-efficient and upgraded methods for whole-genome sequencing and high-density genotyping in big population genomics are still under development. Currently, researchers are thinking if low-cost low-coverage sequencing taking larger sample sizes could be a solution. The software and pipeline for fast calling variants for this purpose will be a research hotspot. Additionally, the protocol of processing chip data for imputation still has room for improvement. Finally, the statistical methods used throughout, from the whole-genome sequencing and SNP genotyping information to its application in animal breeding, should be addressed. Besides their application in breeding, another major application of genomics might be the genome-wide association studies to identify large-scale whole genome level variants that could lead to better understanding of genetic mechanisms for production, reproduction, health and carcass traits for livestock.
We encourage the submission of articles covering the following topics:
• Usage of genomics information for conservation breeding plan
• Loss of heterozygosity due to breeding compared to indigenous breeds
• Current method to use genomics information for conservation breeding
• Whole genome sequencing of indigenous breeds/variates
• Genome-wide association study for livestock species
• Good practice of imputation from low-density chip to whole genome sequencing level
• Structural and copy number variations analysis in livestock
• Software and pipeline for processing genomics data
• Breeding schemes for selection and/or conservation
