The Bovine Pangenome Consortium

DEMYDA PEYRÁS, S.

Viertual

Congreso; ISAG 2021 Annual Meeting; 2021

International Society for Animal Genetics

Cattle are thought to have been domesticated over 10,000 years ago in two independent events, giving rise to the taurine (Bos taurus taurus) and indicine (Bos taurus indicus) sub species. Their spread across the world through human migration, subsequent selection for multiple purposes, and adaptation to varying local conditions has written a complex history into their genomes. This story is further complicated by interspersed instances of genetic bottlenecks and hybridization with wild relatives. As such, a single linear reference genome is insufficient to fully describe and interrogate the extent of genetic variation in cattle. We have launched a global Bovine Pangenome Consortium (BPC) to generate reference quality genomes of cattle breeds and closely related wild species from the Bos genus. Our goal is to capture the breadth of global diversity, including underrepresented cattle breeds, and integrate it into a single pangenome reference. The BPC includes over 60 members representing 40 institutions in 20 countries. We have already released multiple breed specific and wild relative reference assemblies using the latest DNA sequencing technologies and genome assembly tools.We are refining methods for incorporating these assemblies into a single reference and developing workflows for data utilization and visualization. This work will significantly increase the global cattle genomics community?s ability to accurately identify and select for health and production traits in target populations around the world.