Genetics and Genomics
The sphere of activity of genetics and genomics involves identifying the role of genetic factors in the functioning of farm animals and companion animals, as well as designing optimal breeding schemes for selection. The Animal Breeding & Genomics Centre (ABGC) works closely with the Department of Animal Sciences of Wageningen University. The ABGC has three key expertise areas:
- Genomics & Bioinformatics
- Statistical genetics and genomics
- Breeding programmes
The ABGC also provides an important contribution to three additional themes:
- Product quality
- Biodiversity
- Animal Performance
Within the product quality theme, we focus on both milk quality and meat quality. Within the biodiversity theme, tools for animal breeding and cryo-conservation are intended to manage genetic resources (on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands – CGN). In addition we focus on expanding the diversity in breeding objectives. Within the animal performance theme, we provide a contribution from each of the three expertise areas in order to create fertile and healthy animals that can produce without harming their welfare. Genomic selection is also part of this theme; with our unique IP position and software with international appeal, we are the pioneers in this area .
The Centre for Genetic Resources
The Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN) is linked to Wageningen UR Livestock Research. It conducts legal research assignments on behalf of the Dutch government that are related to the genetic diversity of livestock breeds. CGN performs leading scientific research in two areas:
1. Developing and supporting strategies for conservation (genetic diversity).
2. Developing methods for cryo-conservation. The expertise developed from this research makes a powerful contribution to the development and management of gene banks and to the quality of the recommendations made to national and international government agencies and public bodies, NGOs and administrators of livestock breeding populations.