Developing countries have the challenge of achieving food security in a world context that is affected by climate change and global population growth. Molecular Genetics and genomics are proposed as technologies that will help to achieve sustainable food security. Technologies that have been developed in the last decade such as the development of genetic markers, genetic maps, genomic selection, next-generation sequencing, and DNA editing systems are discussed. Examples of some discoveries and achievements are provided.

Our efforts are oriented to assess bovine Y-chromosome gene expression patterns. One set of genes that are of interest are the so-called X-degenerate Y-chromosome genes that are located in the male-specific region of the Y-chromosome (MSY). This region contains 95% of the DNA of the Y chromosome. These genes are single copy and have an X-chromosome homolog. Both, the Y-encoded and X-encoded homologs have ubiquitous expression profiles. However, some genes, like SRY that regulates male sex determination, have functions that are more specific. Identifying DNA sequence differences between these homologs will allow evaluation of their spatial and temporal expression patterns. Identification of the Y-encoded mRNAs and their isoforms will allow our understanding of tissue specific expression of isoforms in male tissues. The latter will facilitate our evaluation of gene function in male sex dif...

Developing countries have the challenge of achieving food security in a world context that is affected by climate change and global population growth. Molecular Genetics and genomics are proposed as technologies that will help to achieve sustainable food security. Technologies that have been developed in the last decade such as the development of genetic markers, genetic maps, genomic selection, next-generation sequencing, and DNA editing systems are discussed. Examples of some discoveries and achievements are provided.

Our efforts are oriented to assess bovine Y-chromosome gene expression patterns. One set of genes that are of interest are the so-called X-degenerate Y-chromosome genes that are located in the male-specific region of the Y-chromosome (MSY). This region contains 95% of the DNA of the Y chromosome. These genes are single copy and have an X-chromosome homolog. Both, the Y-encoded and X-encoded homologs have ubiquitous expression profiles. However, some genes, like SRY that regulates male sex determination, have functions that are more specific. Identifying DNA sequence differences between these homologs will allow evaluation of their spatial and temporal expression patterns. Identification of the Y-encoded mRNAs and their isoforms will allow our understanding of tissue specific expression of isoforms in male tissues. The latter will facilitate our evaluation of gene function in male sex dif...

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar polimorfismos de nucleótido simple (PNSs) en genes de proteínas asociadas a las queratinas (KRTAPs) en alpacas (Vicugna pacos). Se realizó el estudio en un total de 34 KRTAPs que se encuentran anotados en el genoma de referencia VicPac3.1 en la base de datos del National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). El genoma de referencia VicPac3.1 de alpaca, nueve genomas (NCBI) y reads de 300 bibliotecas de representación reducida de ADN de alpacas se usaron para comparar secuencias de KRTAPs e identificar PNSs mediante el uso del BLASTN.  Se halló la frecuencia del alelo menor (MAF) y la tasa de genotipificacion (TG) de PNSs, mediante el uso de los programas KGD y PLINK. Así como, el Illumina Score para cada PNS, mediante el uso del programa Illumina Design Studio. Se seleccionaron marcadores con MAF ≥ 0.05, TG ≥ 45% por ...

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Escuela de Posgrado. Maestría en Producción Animal

The aim of this study was the identification of candidate genomic regions associated with fiber diameter in alpacas. DNA samples were collected from 1011 female Huacaya alpacas from two geographical Andean regions in Peru (Pasco and Puno), and three alpaca farms within each region. The samples were genotyped using an Affymetrix Custom Alpaca genotyping array containing 76,508 SNPs. After the quality controls, 960 samples and 51,742 SNPs were retained. Three association study methodologies were performed. The GWAS based on a linear model allowed us to identify 11 and 35 SNPs (−log10(p-values) > 4) using information on all alpacas and alpacas with extreme values of fiber diameter, respectively. The haplotype and marker analysis method allowed us to identify nine haplotypes with standardized haplotype heritability higher than six standard deviations. The selection signatures based on cros...