Animal Genomics and Nuclear Transfer
Utah State University researchers are among the world?s leaders in using tools from genetics and breeding to study animal traits that are agriculturally important. Especially notable, our researchers were the first to successfully clone a member of the horse family. This important advancement opens doors to monumental developments in the life sciences that impact plants, animals, and humans. Often, scientific advances in animal health are applicable to human health. At USU, we are eagerly participating in bridging this gap by using new genetic tools and genomics to leverage our knowledge towards human issues such as fertility, cancer and inherited disease.
Why this research is important
This research creates an understanding of fertility and normal development that is critical to improving and sustaining various populations. With this work, USU scientists are looking at how to amplify the most desirable genetic traits in a given population, while decreasing the occurrence of the least desirable -- such as disease and abnormality. For instance, the ability to make desirable cattle traits occur more frequently in the herd ? cattle that are low in fat, high in milk production ? will result in food supply that is safer, healthier and more environmentally efficient to produce.
For human health, genomics researchers are developing new and more flexible approaches to medical treatment. Individuals who have a hereditary predisposition to disease could benefit from the identification of ?genetic markers? in their biological make-up that provide warnings prior to disease onset, allowing preventative measures to be taken. Families who struggle with infertility may have myriad medical options to assist their reproduction, and endangered species could be saved through scientifically increased population levels.
The ability to define the genome of any living organism permits our researchers to explore new genetic possibilities in the realm of plant, animal and human health. While research such as stem cell exploration and genetic cloning can be controversial, it allows our researchers to understand the trade-offs that are prudent and ethical for use, and contributes to society.
What are genomics and nuclear transfer?
Animal science relies on genetics, genomics, and nuclear transfer to improve herd traits. Genetics is the study and use of individual genes associated with the important traits, while genomics studies all the genes in the animal. Genomics determines the entire DNA sequence of the animal and links that information to specific genes in all the chromosomes, just as was recently done with the human genome project. Nuclear transfer is a method to move genes from one animal into another using the second animal?s cell material to carry the new genetic material. These techniques impact herd health, production traits, and overall fertility success.
Scientific Perspective
Animal breeders and producers are using more focused breeding programs. However, a persistent problem for them in applying herd improvement strategies to livestock species has been the lack of knowledge of useful genes suitable for manipulation. Therefore, directed approaches are now being used to identify single gene and quantitative trait loci, or those regions of the genome that are required for a specific phenotype or demonstrated trait. In addition, efforts are underway to sequence the entire genome of some farm animals. Altogether, these efforts will provide animal scientists with the information to systematically alter genes to manifest improvements in animal traits.
For example, animal genomics research at Utah State University has uncovered genetic loci that have a role in commercially important traits in sheep and cattle. This research is novel and has broad implications, because the loci that have been identified are also implicated in humans. Other groundbreaking research at USU is directed at understanding early events following fertilization in order to improve in vitro fertilization procedures for breeding. Improvement of these techniques will directly lead to the ability to produce animals with highly desirable traits of economic value.
Topical Overview
Genetic Disease States
Utah State University scientists have identified gene loci associated with genetic states such as Spider Lamb Syndrome, callipyge in sheep, and chronic wasting disease. This research provides greater understanding of the inheritance of these conditions and identifies the physiological consequences of the associated mutations of each genetic trait. Results of these experiments allow for the establishment of marker tests to select seed stock animals for herd health improvement.
Nuclear Transfer
Somatic cell nuclei are transferred into unfertilized eggs to produce healthy offspring. The cytoplasmic environment of the unfertilized egg has the unique ability to re-program the nucleus from a differentiated adult cell back into an undifferentiated embryonic nucleus. Valuable, unique animals can be duplicated through application of nuclear transfer technology. Scientists at Utah State University are working to better understand the cell biology associated with successful development of offspring after nuclear transfer to increase the success of the process. Understanding the mechanisms associated with re-programming has implications for production of live animals and specific types of tissue.
Signal Transduction
Signal transduction is the molecular chain of events that directs cellular processes. The study of the molecular events and specific factors associated with fertilization that trigger activation of the egg and initiate subsequent development is an important research focus at Utah State University. The initiation of activation is critical to the developmental success of the resulting embryo and subsequent fetus. Characterization of the specific factors involved in induction of this important developmental process will result in their application to increase nuclear transfer development and modulation of fertility in animals and humans.
Stem Cell Research
Understanding the unique gene expression profile that results in the characteristics associated with totipotent cell lines is also a research focus at Utah State University. Results from these experiments will lead to an understanding of the unique gene expression and silencing required to re-program differentiated cells into totipotent cells that have the ability to become any tissue type.
Molecular Development
Improper gene expression in early development leads to conditions such as Large Calf Syndrome and aberrant placental development in livestock species. Research at Utah State University focuses on identifying the gene expression associated with abnormal development following micromanipulation and culture of preimplantation embryos. These results will allow for production and early selection of normal embryos that will ultimately reduce developmental failure after transfer and lead to higher birth rates in domestic animals and humans.
Transgenesis
Expanding the family pharm is one focus of the transgenic program at Utah State University. Genetically engineering animals to contribute to the next generation of pharmaceutical production has implications for the efficient and economical production of human therapeutic and diagnostic proteins. The design of unique animal models to provide the opportunity to study human disease states is another focus of the transgenic program. In some cases, these animals provide the only means to effectively study and develop suitable therapeutic drugs for human diseases outside of a human model.
Embryonic Development
Early development of pre-implantation embryos using domestic animal models provides insight into mechanisms that control fertilization, embryo metabolism and early nutritional requirements. The results of these studies have important implications in control and augmentation of animal reproduction and facilitating development of techniques designed to assist human reproduction.