EuroGenetics #
It is involved in setting standards for evaluation methods and analyzing new methods for evaluating breeding value (one step), new traits for evaluation, as well as work on implementing the female population for genomic evaluation. The group includes the SNP MACE (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Multiple Across Country Evaluation) project, which aims to improve the accuracy of genomic evaluation.
Harmonization project #
The project was initiated with the aim of increasing correlation among the member countries of the EuroGenomics Cooperative, thereby increasing the benefits of a common reference population of bulls. The project involves several working phases:
- development of the so-called “gold standard” – collection of information on the situation in individual member countries regarding the value-in-use data collection systems and the models used in the assessment of genetic value;
- introduction of harmonization (gold standard) in the registration of traits and calculation methods in order to increase the correlation between countries between the results obtained in member countries;
- analyzing the consequences of introducing correlation to 1 and other alternatives, and providing an acceptable methodology that takes into account the advantages and solutions to the disadvantages for individual members of the EuroGenomics Cooperative.
Chip Development #
The oldest group operating within the EuroGenomics Cooperative dealing with the construction of EG microarrays (cooperation with Illumina). Constructed through the cooperation of EG cooperative members, the microarray meets the needs of breeders and insemination companies. Every year it is modified and adapted to the current needs of breeders. The EG microarray is an excellent tool contributing to the increase in the number of genotyped animals. The latest version of the microarray developed in 2019, named Illumina EuroG MD BeadChip, contains about 45,000 SNP markers and is four times larger than its predecessor Illumina EuroG10K BeadChip microarray (versions 1 to 8). It contains SNP markers used in the evaluation of genomic breeding value, enabling ancestry checks and monogenic traits such as genetic defects, coat color, and traits important for breeding (milk proteins such as casein).
More at: https://www.eurogenomics.com/eurog-md-chip.html