Genomic selection - Revolutionary breeding practice in Domestic animals Manjit Panigrahi, Subhashree Parida Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar - 243122 Dist. Bareilly, UP, India Corresponding author: Manjit Panigrahi, email:manjit707@gmail.com Received: 01-12-2011, Accepted: 24-12-2011, Published Online: 06-05-2012 doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2012.433-436 Abstract With more and more Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) being identified throughout the genome, some of those SNPs will be found to be located within candidate genes, allowing the researchers to use the candidate gene approach on a genome- wide scale. SNPs have some drawbacks but when compared to other markers they are more efficient and SNP consortium is growing to meet the requirements of genome-wide scans. Genomic selection should be able to at least double the rate of genetic gain in the dairy industry but the incorporation of genomic information into the breeding programs must be carefully considered. One needs to have around 2000 genotypes means a large reference population (population with both phenotype and genotype recorded) to achieve meaningful increases in accuracy. The available information, selection objectives, production circumstances and benefit/cost analysis must be evaluated in order to decide whether or not the population is suitable for GS implementation, and which would be the most convenient way, if any, for its implementation. Animal breeders will need to lead the way on the integration of genomic and phenotypic data into a new era of genome-enabled animal improvement and management. Keywords: Breeding practice, Domestic Animals, DNA, Genome Introduction determine a person's susceptibility to disease or any adverse reaction to drug. Since the completion of the In the past century DNA has moved from being a human genome project, there has been a huge effort in mysterious molecule only of interest to a handful of establishing maps of genetic markers, especially of the specialists to being the heart of a technology that is most abundant source of DNA variation, the single transforming many aspects of the way we all live. The nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A subsequent major study of human genetics has recently undergone a quest is to identify the variation in the human genome dramatic transition with the completion of both the causally involved in the genetic etiology of complex sequencing of the human genome and the mapping of diseases and drug response. Studies to explore which human haplotypes. In February 2001, two largely genes are involved in a trait include essentially two independent draft versions of the human genome were major approaches. published. Both studies estimated that there are 30,000 to 40,000 genes in the human genome, roughly one- Candidate Gene approach third the numbers of previous estimates. After human In the hypothesis based approaches the involvement (2001) and Mice, Whole Genome Sequence of the of candidate genes and pathways is being investigated chicken (2004), Dog (2005), Bovine (2006), Horse by testing for genetic association. A candidate gene is a (2007) and Pig (2009) are entirely available in the gene, located in a chromosome region suspected of public domain. However, we still have to make being involved in the expression of a trait such as a guesses at the actual number of genes and the work disease, whose protein product suggests that it could assigned to them because not all of the genome be the gene in question. A candidate gene can also be sequence is properly annotated. Humans differ in identified by linkage analysis to a region of the genetic makeup by only 0.1%, but that small part of the genome. In this approach, genotyping is targeted to genome contains the key differences that can Vet. World, 2012, Vol.5(7):433-436 REVI EW www.veterinaryworld.org Veterinary World, Vol.5 No.7 July 2012 433 To cite this article: Panigrahi M, Parida S (2012) Genomic selection - Revolutionary breeding practice in Domestic animals, Vet World, 5(7): 433-436, doi:10.5455/vetworld.2012.433-436