UQ Gatton in genetics deal with the US
UQ GATTON is to be at the cutting edge of livestock genetic variation measurements, teaming up with an American firm to become the Australian supplier of their genotyping technology.
The University of Queensland's Animal Genetics Laboratory (AGL) signed a service agreement with the Nebraska-based agri-genomics company GeneSeek Inc to assist breeders to speed up their genetic improvement methods.
The genotyping products made available to AGL under its agreement with GeneSeek have already revolutionised the way in which other overseas laboratories test for genetic conditions in livestock.
Head of the School of Veterinary Science, Professor Glen Coleman, said this agreement would allow AGL to provide solutions to the Australian livestock industry through the science of genomics.
"AGL represents an important component of UQ's commitment to agriculture," Prof Coleman said.
"Since the mid-1990s, AGL has been playing a role in strengthening the livestock sector in Australia through provision of DNA typing for parentage verification, identification of inherited disorders in cattle and determination of performance traits such as muscling.
"By making the GeneSeek technology available in Australia, AGL will be helping to ensure the future sustainability of Australia's livestock industries,"
Vice president of Neogen's corporate development, Dr Jason Lilly, said they are pleased to be partnering UQ.
"GeneSeek has been a global leader in the development and delivery of innovative genotyping technologies over the past decade," he said.
"We are pleased to be partnering with UQ to deliver tools to Australian producers that will help them to remain among the most progressive in the world.
"Through the collaboration, GeneSeek will assist the AGL in deploying technology in Australia to ensure the most effective and cost-efficient services possible.
"At the same time, GeneSeek laboratories in the US are available to provide back-up resources on an as-needs basis."
