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Organisers
Elizabeth Glass, Roslin Institute, UK
Elisabeth Huber, ARK-Genomics, UK
Richard Talbot, ARK-Genomics, UK
Introduction
In the last few years, the impact of the public availability of genome sequences and resources for farm animals and other species is beginning to bear fruition, e.g. the chicken genome sequence (2004) and the bovine genome (2006). However it is also clear that the interpretation and exploitation of the vast amounts of data now being generated requires considerable input and novel approaches if we are to harness all of the potential benefits from functional genomics. The resources for livestock are increasing exponentially with potentially millions of SNPs for fine mapping of QTL to whole genome expression arrays. The data generated with such resources will elucidate networks of interacting molecules, and will aid in the identification of “hub” control points e.g. key transcription factors controlling intracellular signalling pathways. It is becoming clear that many pathways and processes that were previously considered as entirely separate may well have interlocking components. Functional genomics will have the power to identify new and novel targets for modulating physiological processes such as enhancing disease resistance whilst maintaining other desirable phenotypes such as efficient growth and reproduction.
The conference will be structured around 8 themes:
“Genetics and QTLs” eQTL are being identified in mouse models, and have the potential to greatly accelerate livestock research.
“Bioinformatics and Data Mining” The challenge with the great exponential rise in data is interpretation, and new user friendly approaches are needed.
“Animal Health” New insights have the potential to identify new pathways and targets to improve the heath and welfare of animals world-wide through breeding and improvements in current vaccines.
“Functional Genomics meets Physiology” 2 sessions: this will include talks on growth, reproduction and metabolism.
“Proteomics” One of the challenges for applying proteomics to animal research is the low level of annotation for animal proteins and the lack of suitable antibodies. This theme will highlight the latest discoveries being made in this area with relevance to livestock e.g. designer milk.
“Animal Genomics in Industry” Breeding for many livestock traits is underway, but identifying locations and genes more precisely has the opportunity to target breeding and strategies more efficiently.
“Systems Biology” The new discipline of systems biology essentially aims to bring together and understand all the information encoded in a genome and its down-stream elements which should lead to the emergence of completely new concepts and insights.
Additionally there will be 3 open sessions and a poster session.
Programme details can be found here.
The conference will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Registration
Registration is now closed.
