In the past year the team has deciphered 50,000 gene sequences in the cattle genome, and more than 30,000 sequences in swine. Within the next three months, the scientists hope to add 30,000 additional sequences from cattle and 10,000 from swine. Laster began assembling the Clay Center team in the early 1990s.
ESTs represent significant parts of genes that determine the proteins produced by certain tissues.
Md. That group is sequencing genes that function in the mammary gland of dairy cattle. The Maryland group is working to identify all of the genes responsible for milk productivity traits and the genes that cause superior animals to produce larger quantities of milk proteins in their mammary glands. By using computers to compare gene sequences from different cows, the researchers will sort out the genes that control milk composition. The Clay Center and Beltsville groups work together to deposit the information into the NCBI and Clay Center databases. According to Steven M. Kappes, a recent member of the MARC genomic team and now ARS National Program Leader for Animal Production and Germplasm, each of many genes may have a small impact on an inherited trait, but when added together they may have great economic importance for a herd and for the livestock industry.