Center for Integrated Animal Genomics

 

About CIAG

The Center for Integrated Animal Genomics (CIAG) at Iowa State University  (ISU) comprises an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students using integrated system-wide genomic approaches to address current and future challenges and opportunities in animal agriculture and human health.  Scientists at the Center work to identify, map and understand the function and control of genes to improve animal and human health.  CIAG embraces basic research areas of animal biology and veterinary medicine that build on current strengths at ISU and are predicted to be of particular importance in agricultural research in the next five to ten years.  These areas include comparative genomics and animal-microbe interactions.

CIAG was created in 2002.  The primary activities of the Center are to foster faculty development and collaborative research.  Specific programs include:  CIAG Competitive Grants, Infrastructure Grants and Research Support Grants Programs that emphasize interdisciplinary collaborative research; CIAG workshops in areas of animal genetics, comparative genomics, and animal-microbe interactions; and the Genomics Scholar and Fellowship Program to help faculty on campus establish national and international collaborations and research opportunities.  An additional activity of the Center is the preparation of future scientists for the challenges and opportunities in emerging areas of animal agriculture and human health through participation in the Graduate Training Programs.

The goal of CIAG is to make Iowa State the premier institution in the world in integrated animal genomics by building on current strengths.

 

Background

Advances in genome sequencing and molecular genetics now enable scientisits to explore complex biological problems using an integrated systems-wide genomics approach.  ISU is a leader in bioinformatics and computational biology and is home to several internationally-recognized animal, plant and microbe genome projects.  ISU has the top animal genetics and genomics group in the U.S. and is considered a world leader in porcine, bovine and avian genomics. We have internationally recognized strengths in microbial genomics and infectious disease. CIAG builds on these strengths and brings together faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and others to promote systems-wide approaches in animal agricultural research. CIAG provides a natural mechanism for enabling animal and microbial genomics researchers to work together and interact with existing research centers in ISU's Plant Sciences Institute, including the Laurence H Baker Center for Bioinformatics and Biological Statistics, the Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition, and the Center for Designer Crops. We have identified basic research areas of animal biology and veterinary medicine that build on current strengths at ISU and are predicted to be of particular importance in agricultural research in the next five to ten years.

Comparative Genomics: Comparative analyses of complex biological traits are at the root of integrated approaches in animal genomics. Comparative genomics, which stems from sequencing the complete genome of human and other species, utilizes comparative biology and the tools of bioinformatics and computational biology to make inferences about gene structure, function and evolution. Identifying, mapping, and understanding the function and control of genes by the comparative approach permits the development of new genetic technologies and increases the ability to realize the full genetic potential for improvement of agriculturally important animal species. Comparative genomics encompasses a broad range of activities within CIAG, including (1) structural and functional genomics; (2) bioinformatics and computational tools for collection, analysis and interpretation of molecular data; and (3) the use of comparative models of growth and development. These activities complement, and are complemented by, the current breadth of research efforts at ISU in animal genomics, plant genomics, computational biology and evolution. For example, advances in animal genomics provides a crucial collaborative component for efforts within the ISU Plant Sciences Institute to design crops for improved animal nutrition, environmentally friendly feedstocks and specialty animal products for human consumption. Building research capacity in comparative genomics enhances competitiveness in obtaining federal research dollars from USDA, NSF and NIH.

Animal-Microbe Interactions: Integrated approaches toward understanding the nature and consequences of animal-microbe interactions are urgently needed in the areas of pre-harvest food safety, food security and public health, and bioterrorism. Microbial genomics can identify the genetic basis of microbial disease processes, can lead to improved methods for diagnosis and control of pathogens of importance to animal and human health, and can help to maintain biosecurity. Research into the genetics of disease resistance and the development of disease-resistant animals increases the safety and security of animal-based food products. ISU is well positioned to make a significant impact in this area with its strengths in animal and microbial genetics and infectious diseases, as well as its close collaborations with the scientists at the National Animal Disease Center.

 

Goals

CIAG's objectives include:

  • Achieving worldwide prominence in the area of animal genomics;
  • Increasing research funding and infrastructure in integrated animal genomics;
  • Identifying, mapping, and understanding the function and control of genes for improvement of animal and human health;
  • Training the next generation of scientists in applying integrative approaches to critical areas of animal agriculture and human health;
  • Promoting international collaborations between Center faculty and scientists worldwide;
  • Fostering collaborations with scientists at the Plant Sciences Institute, National Animal Disease Center, National Veterinary Services Laboratory, and the Center for Veterinary Biologics.

Targeted outcomes:

  • Genetic improvement of livestock species;
  • Improvement of food safety and reduction of use of antibiotics;
  • Development of safe and effective vaccines and anti-microbial agents;
  • Development of designer animals for specialized animal products to improve human health;
  • Reduction of possible bioterrorism threats through the food chain;
  • Preparation of future scientists for the challenges and opportunities in emerging areas of animal biology;
  • Increased collaborations between Center faculty and scientists fromother regional centers;
  • Economic development of the animal genomics industry in the State of Iowa.

 

Impacts

The potential impacts of CIAG activities on the public are substantial and varied. These impacts include benefits to animal agriculture and human health. Animal agriculture benefits through continued genetic improvement of important livestock qualities related to food quality and waste, through improvements in disease resistance and pre-harvest pathogen control, and through improved design and utilization of livestock feeds. The fundamental scientific discoveries made using the integrated genomics approach contribute to permanent improvements in animal health and production systems that are compatible with current environmental concerns and long-term sustainability of agriculture. Human health benefits accrue directly from food safety and public health considerations and indirectly through comparative genomics work with model species. The understanding of basic molecular and cellular processes, for example, allows for rational design of therapeutic drugs and treatments. It also enables more effective methods to combat bioterrorism mediated by infectious agents of animals, thus helping to secure the safety of the citizenry and the security of the food supply. Finally, the Center has the opportunity to enhance economic development in Iowa for the animal and food industries.

 

Center Management

The Center is administered through the College of Agriculture with advice from the College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Center activities and governance are overseen by a supervisory committee consisting of a director (or co-directors), a committee of four faculty members and a representative of the College of Agriculture. The Center operates and is managed according to the principles and procedures outlined in the CIAG Governance Document.

 

Financial Support

Financial support of CIAG activities is provided by the College of Agriculture, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Office of Biotechnology, the Office of the President, and the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.