Combining Genetics and Bioinformatics for Genetic Resources Conservation and Breeding Improvement of Sheep and Goat
A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 December 2025 | Viewed by 366
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sheep; bioinformatic; genome; association; molecular markers; local breeds; selection
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Modern sheep and goat breeding increasingly relies on genetics and bioinformatics to improve productivity, health and sustainability, developing white-tailed selection based on genetic research. Genetic markers allow early prediction of the breeding value of animals for traits that can only be determined after the trait determination period, such as meat quality, milk yield, disease resistance, etc. Genomic selection significantly improves accuracy, accelerates genetic gain and reduces the spread of undesirable traits.
Bioinformatics—the intersection of biology and data science—plays a key role in processing large-scale genomic data. It allows researchers to identify genes associated with economically important traits, build genomic selection models and optimise breeding strategies. As well as analyze the potential functionality of genetic markers at the genomic and proteomic levels.
In this context, local breeds are particularly valuable. They often have unique genetic adaptations to specific environments, such as resistance to local diseases or tolerance to heat or malnutrition. The conservation and integration of these breeds into breeding programs is essential to maintain genetic diversity and ensure long-term sustainability, especially in the face of climate change and new challenges.
By combining advanced genomic tools with traditional knowledge, it is possible to develop efficient, resilient and sustainable breeding systems that balance productivity with the conservation of genetic resources.
This special issue aims to highlight studies that have explored and evaluated genetic and bioinformatic approaches in sheep and goat breeding, focusing on improving productivity, promoting disease resistance and maintaining genetic diversity, with a particular emphasis on the role of local breeds in sustainable livestock development.
Dr. Ilva Trapina
Dr. Elina Leonova
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sheep
- goat
- genomic research
- genetic diversity
- local breeds
- molecular markers
- genomic selection
- polymorphisms
- selection
- association
- bioinformatic
- breeding programs
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