LOCATION: Crop Science Building room 202

TIME: 11 am

DATE: Thursday, March 12th, 2020

 

Advances in genomics have led to an improved understanding of genetic variation on livestock production traits. In this context, the collection of high-throughput, accurate phenotypic data has become the limiting factor in livestock genomics and related fields. To improve understanding of the complex interactions and underlying biological and physiological systems within livestock species, improved trait definitions of specific, economically-relevant phenotypes are required. Collecting both high-density phenotypic and environmental data is therefore a major challenge for livestock production research. Novel phenotypes of interest, from gene expression to animal product characteristics, need to be identified, standardized and their collection automated in computable formats. Development of high-throughput data collection techniques from multiple research disciplines at different biological levels is required.

 

Christine Baes is an associate professor at the University of Guelph, NSERC Canada Research Chair in Livestock Genomics and President of the Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS). She completed her Ph.D. at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany and worked for a number of breeding and genetics companies in Germany and Switzerland prior to returning to academia at the University of Guelph. Her current research focuses on the development of breeding programs to improve the health, welfare and productivity of dairy cattle and poultry.