| Q&A: DNA discussion with Dr. Dennis Fantin |
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| Written by Sugar Kuhn | ||||||||
| Tuesday, 26 May 2009 00:00 | ||||||||
Page 1 of 6 Bull Pen Magazine Contributing Editor Sugar Kuhn sits down for an in-depth DNA discussion with MMI Genomics Chief of Operations, Dr. Dennis Fantin."Eventually genomic sciences will allow us to unravel a deep understanding of how genes interact to produce beef cattle with more tender meat, for instance, or dairy cattle that produce more milk with higher protein content, or even bucking bulls that perform better in the arena." - Dr. Dennis Fantin, MMI Genomics Chief of Operations SK: Hello, Dr. Fantin and thanks for sitting down with us. I understand that you are quite an accomplished individual in the field of animal DNA testing. DF: Thank you for your kind words, but I need to let you know that we have a group of outstanding individuals here at MMI Genomics who have diligently worked to advance the field of Animal DNA testing. The real credit should go to them. I’m only glad to be one small part of it. SK: I see that you are a PhD and MBA, a patent-holder, an inventor and a scientist all wrapped up into one? DF: Yes, many different titles for a pretty simple guy. At the end of the day I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to be able to blend two areas that I really love…science and business! SK: Tell me a little bit about your education and background in the field of genetics. DF: Well I’m a scientist by profession and my background is in biochemistry, the branch of science that deals with the study of the molecules of life. Early in my career I worked with a company, Applied Biosystems that built scientific instrumentation for life science research. The company was a pioneer in the area of automated DNA Sequencing and other DNA based technologies. These tools would become very critical to the area of human genetics and revolutionized our understanding of the structure and function of DNA. We quickly realized that DNA could be a valuable tool for many applications for livestock and companion animal breeding and it became my responsibility to look at developing systems that would allow DNA technologies to be used in various agricultural industries. SK: And so you are the Chief of Operations for MetaMorphix which is the Maryland based parent company of MMI Genomics, which is also the company that does parent verification for our ABBI breeders? DF: Correct SK: I believe MetaMorphix, was responsible for successfully mapping the entire bovine genome, correct? DF: Yes, we were the first ones to "sequence" the bovine genome back in 2001 when we were part of Celera Genomics. Celera Genomics under the guidance of Dr. Craig Venter led the effort that sequenced the human genome. After that effort was completed, Celera’s huge sequencing capability was directed toward sequencing the genomes of a number of key species including bovine, swine, chicken and canine. Since 2001 public efforts have added greatly to these sequencing ventures and completed additional work on these and many other species. Our knowledge of the cattle DNA is quite extensive. We know the sequence of the over three billion bases (individual chemical molecules) that comprise the entire cattle genome. SK: How does this feat benefit our industry and what role does it play later on down the line? DF: Knowledge of the entire bovine genome opens the door to discoveries that have widespread benefits for the industry both today and in the future. DNA is becoming an increasingly valuable and important tool for making better breeding decisions. Already, DNA science has helped us map (find) the location of genetic defects in the cattle genome and build DNA tests that help us screen for carriers of these defects. In this way mutations that have deleterious effects can be bred out of the population through selective breeding. DNA analysis also helps speed up the selection process in breeding programs accelerating the rate of genetic improvement in the breed. When we know the ancestry of our bucking bulls, for example, we can make certain assumptions about the expected performance of the progeny and the importance of the animals as breeding stock. And DNA technology is also being used in some very novel ways to predict certain carcass and production characteristics. For example, MMI Genomics has used this knowledge to develop DNA tests that can help predict traits of economic importance, such as marbling (amount of intramuscular fat) in beef cattle. If an animal’s genetic potential to marble is high for example that animal may be managed in a way that allows the trait to be expressed fully (days on feed, feed composition) and be worth more than an animal that may not be able to marble very well. Eventually genomic sciences will allow us to unravel a deep understanding of how genes interact to produce beef cattle with more tender meat for instance, or dairy cattle that produce more milk with higher protein content, or even bucking bulls that perform better in the arena. |
