8/28/98

Contacts:
Max Rothschild, Animal Science, (515) 294-6202
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

ISU PROFESSOR TO AGAIN COORDINATE PIG GENE-MAPPING PROGRAM

AMES, Iowa -- A national program to coordinate the mapping of livestock genes has been renewed for five years, and an Iowa State University animal scientist will continue to lead the swine gene-mapping effort.

Max Rothschild has served as national coordinator for swine gene-mapping since the National Animal Genome Research Program began in 1993. A genome is all the genetic material found in the chromosomes of a plant, animal, human or microbe. In the program, researchers at state agricultural experiment stations and the USDA work to locate and identify genes of importance in swine, cattle, sheep, poultry and horses.

As pig-genome coordinator, Rothschild organizes and summarizes swine gene-mapping information and makes it available to other researchers. He also helps to provide gene-mapping materials, maintains a genetic database and coordinates an advisory group.

Since 1993, the swine genome program has mapped more than 250 genes and 1,500 genetic markers. Researchers in nine states and 15 countries -- including two at Iowa State -- are working on the project, which has a goal of mapping all important genes in the swine genome.

ISU also was named the primary site for national genetic databases on swine and poultry. Managing the databases are Rothschild and colleagues Chris Tuggle, Rohan Fernando, Jack Dekkers, Philip Spike and Zhiliang Hu.

Renewal of the National Animal Genome Program was approved by the USDA and experiment station directors around the country. Genome coordinators were selected in a competitive, peer-review process.

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