Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
10/28/04
For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
James Reecy, Iowa State University, (515) 294-9269, jreecy@iastate.edu
Number of Bovine Gene Markers Could Expand Quickly
AMES, Iowa -- As the research surrounding beef DNA and genetics has evolved over the past few years, producers now have four identified gene markers at their use for tenderness and marbling traits. However, Jim Reecy, professor of animal science at Iowa State University, explains that the list of gene markers for carcass traits could rapidly expand during the coming years.
"In the near future, we may see gene markers for feed efficiency, health, dressing percent, back fat, and rib eye area," says Reecy. "This is an exciting time, not only for scientists, but for beef producers as well."
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, recently announced the assembly and release of the first draft of the bovine genome, and the finalized sequence should be complete soon. Reecy explains that until now, the process of identifying beef gene markers was excruciatingly slow because scientists had no bovine genome to find the markers, and instead used the human genome sequence to painstakingly compare the markers with beef DNA.
"Now, with the publishing of the bovine genome, this process will speed up considerably, and we may see that gene markers are identified much more quickly in the next couple of years," says Reecy.
Beef seedstock producers will soon have the opportunity to learn about current gene markers at the upcoming Seedstock Conference on Dec. 2 at the Quality Inn & Suites Starlite Village in Ames, Iowa. Reecy will be among an extensive list of national experts presenting at the conference, and his presentation will answer the questions 'What is a gene marker?,' 'What markers are currently available?' and 'How are they found?'
For information about the conference, including a registration form, visit the Iowa Beef Center website, www.iowabeefcenter.org, or contact Donna Watson at (515) 294-0847 or dpeters@iastate.edu.
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