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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal
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BIF 2016: Gene set enrichment analysis for feed efficiency in beef cattle

Holly Neibergs
Washington State University

Neibergs lead an effort to identify key genes within the network of genes that influence feed efficiency differences.

In this analysis they analyzed over 700,000 DNA variants in about 800 Hereford steers. For these Hereford steers they calculated the residual feed intake. Residual feed intake is how much the observed feed intake differs from the expected feed intake based on average daily gain and body weight. For over 19,000 genes, they identified the DNA marker within 8,000 base pairs of the gene that had the largest effect. These effects were assigned as the effect for that gene. They could then analyze networks of genes to look for gene networks that were significantly involved in feed efficiency differences.

Gene networks involved in cell division, including cytoskeleton organization, influenced differences in feed efficiency. There were also genes involved in the formation and regulation of peroxisomes found to influence feed efficiency. The peroxisome is involved with cellular transport and catabolism. they work on removing free radicals and maintaining lipid homeostatis.


FluorescentCells.jpg
By http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/images/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=655748
Components of cytoskeleton are labeled by red and green strains.


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