UGI External Seminar - Dr Lingzhao Fang - The University of Edinburgh

Abstract: The systematic characterization of genomic variants regulating the transcriptome of livestock is essential for interpreting the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits of economic value, understanding adaptive evolution and domestication, optimising genetic improvement programmes and allowing comparative genomics studies. The Farm Animal Genotype-Tissue Expression (FarmGTEx) project, an international collaborative endeavour, aims to provide a comprehensive public resource of tissue-specific gene expression and genetic regulation (e.g., expression quantitative trait loci, eQTLs) in livestock species. By pulling together publicly available data from various sources, the pilot phase of FarmGTEx describes the landscape of the transcriptome across tissues and report hundreds of thousands of cis- and trans- genetic associations with gene expression and alternative splicing. It also provide direct evidence of their relevance to dissect the genetic architecture underlying complex traits and improve genomic selection.