Identifying genes and biochemical pathways affecting disease resistance in Norwegian Cattle by functional genomics

Norwegian Red cattle show genetic gain over the last decade in resistance towards mastitis, the most costly and common production disease world wide. The project is a collaborative project with US and Norwegian partners. We will genotype Norwegian bulls a nd analyse their DNA for mutations (SNP technology) in genes involved in/influencing the innate immune system. After progeny testing, both semiquantitative (Microarrays) and quantitative gene expression (MassArray) analysis will be performed in groups of animals with high and low disease resistance. Results will be used to identify important genes, gene networks and gene interactions influencing resistance. BoviBanks biobank will be used to validate the practical application of results as predictive infor mation/service in animal breeding and management. We are applying for a post doc to do genotyping and expressions analysis. The person will be able to work partly in the US/Canada during the 2 year period, and partly in CIGENE and in the commercialised bi obank BoviBank with state of the art technologies and emerging markets.