Commentary on the 6th International Symposium of Animal Functional Genomics

Abstract

The availability of precise phenotypic data is fundamental in this endeavour. [...]in developing countries, the success of genomic approaches strongly depends on the type of husbandry system and the level of organization of animal breeding activities (Kathiravan Periasami and Jose Fernando Garcia). Besides accurate phenotype recording, new methods are needed to account for the lesser availability of DNA and phenotypic data in small populations. The control of gene expression by DNA methylation appears extremely important during embryo development and a major cause of failure for embryos obtained in vitro [4]. Since many terabytes of data are produced by different—omic technologies every day, bioinformaticians around the worlds work together at connecting, integrating and interpreting this information. The technology quickly edits alleles into more favourable ones without gene transfer across species or between animals. [...]it may impact less than the debated GMO technology on public concern, particularly if the first experimental applications will target traits increasing animal welfare (e.g. major genes relevant to adaptation, disease resistance, etc.).