USAU scientists have developed a new method for identifying lethal mutations in cows

The new test system, using the PCR method, simplifies the standard method, eliminates the risk of error by reducing the human factor and is cheaper than its analogues.
it took the Ural scientists about a year to complete this work. The research was conducted in the laboratory of molecular biology research at the Ural State Agrarian University using a grant from the Innovation Promotion Foundation following the results of the Umnik competition.

To create a new method, scientists analyzed about 200 heads of cattle in the Sverdlovsk region to identify genetic anomalies in their DNA that lead to the death of calves (BLAD, CVM and HH1). And based on the data obtained, they created a unique test system that allows you to determine whether an animal is carrying lethal mutations in a couple of hours.

According to experts, the study and implementation of this method in agricultural enterprises will significantly reduce the culling and death of animals and thereby increase the economic efficiency of agribusiness.

"According to our data, some animals in the region's herds, despite mandatory genotyping of breeding bulls, are carriers of lethal mutations. This issue is given close attention today, since there are economic aspects, for example, the loss of young animals inevitably entails costs, and breeding organizations cannot sell cows without genetic evaluation, and especially cows-carriers. The use of genetic evaluation is an integral part of modern selection and a key aspect of increasing the potential of the livestock industry," said Georgy Likhodeevsky, winner of "Umnik", junior researcher at the laboratory of molecular and biological research at USAU.

To use the new test system, the company only needs reagents andconsumables of domestic production. Therefore, the development of the Ural scientists meets the current demand of the time in terms of import substitution.

Let us recall that the competition of innovative projects "Umnik" is aimed at supporting the interest of young people in science, the creation of promising innovative companies. In the Sverdlovsk region since 2007, more than 700 students and young scientists have received financial support in the total amount of more than 350 million rubles.
It should be noted that the commercialization of youth projects is also possible within the framework of the competition "Student Startup". A grant of 1 million rubles is provided for the implementation of work on the creation of new goods, products, technologies or services using the results of scientific, technical and technological research.

Text – Yulia Filimonova
Photo – Vadim Shabratko
11/13/2024