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Title: Filling the knowledge gap: Integrating quantitative genetics and genomics in graduate education and outreach

Author
item LEWIS, R - Virginia Tech
item SPANGLER, MATTHEW - University Of Nebraska
item LOCKEE, B - Virginia Tech
item ENNS, R - Colorado State University
item ENNS, K - Colorado State University
item DEKKERS, J - Colorado State University
item MALTECCA, C - Colorado State University
item CASSADY, J - South Dakota State University
item MACNEIL, M - Kansas State University
item GOULD, C - Kansas State University
item BOGGS, D - Kansas State University
item MISZTAL, I - University Of Georgia
item Pollak, Emil

Submitted to: World Congress of Genetics Applied in Livestock Production
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2014
Publication Date: 8/22/2014
Citation: Lewis, R.M., Spangler, M.L., Lockee, B.B., Enns, R.M., Enns, K.J., Dekkers, J.C., Maltecca, C., Cassady, J.P., MacNeil, M.D., Gould, C.A., Boggs, D.L., Misztal, I., Pollak, E.J. 2014. Filling the knowledge gap: Integrating quantitative genetics and genomics in graduate education and outreach. In: Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, August 17-22, 2014, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Paper No. 222. Available: https://asas.org/wcgalp-proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Innovations in educational programming have afforded unique strategies for institutions of higher education to address the national knowledge gap in quantitative genetics. Land grant institutions have demonstrated the benefit of sharing information, expertise, and resources in creative and collaborative ways. The formation of partnerships among institutions, and between industry and academia, are key factors in preparing the next generation of professionals in animal genetics and genomics. Only through partnerships among academic and research institutions, breed associations and commercial industries will the evolution in genetic technologies be fully integrated into animal agriculture systems. Our collective responsibility to meet global needs for food security and health necessitate such collaboration.

Technical Abstract: The genomics revolution provides vital tools to address global food security. Yet to be incorporated into livestock breeding, molecular techniques need to be integrated into a quantitative genetics framework. Within the U.S., with shrinking faculty numbers with the requisite skills, the capacity to train professionals with such expertise is at risk. Those same proficiencies are also necessary to guide adoption of genomic-enhanced tools within animal agriculture. A solution is to share resources across academic and research institutions, and industry, to deliver high-quality instruction to a broad audience. Here we describe two such collaborative efforts – an across-institutional graduate curriculum and a joint university, USDA and beef cattle industry training project – that use innovations in educational and outreach programing to prepare professionals in genetics and genomics. Only through such partnerships, will genomic technologies be fully integrated into livestock production.