Genomic Livestock Breeding for Faster Genetic Value Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal breeding techniques are inefficient in accounting for genetic variability and environmental factors, requiring years to evaluate genetic value and often result in non-inheritable improvements, leading to increased production costs and variability in trait expression.
Innovation Solution
A pyramidal production system utilizing genetic markers and enhanced reproductive technologies to identify and propagate superior genetics, combined with data capture systems for phenotypic and genomic data analysis, enabling rapid genetic improvement and trait introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard animal breeding techniques are used, then genetic value evaluation is achieved, but the process requires years to complete and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using genomic selection to evaluate genetic merit early in an animal's life (even before birth in some cases), rather than waiting years for phenotypic expression. Genomic tests are performed on young animals to predict their breeding value, allowing early selection decisions that dramatically reduce the time required for genetic evaluation while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/physical breeding evaluation system (requiring actual breeding, gestation, and phenotypic measurement over years) with a genomic-based system. Instead of physically breeding animals and waiting for trait expression, the system uses DNA analysis and genomic prediction models to estimate genetic merit, substituting biological time-consuming processes with molecular biology techniques.
2Manufacturing precision
If standard breeding techniques are used, then genetic improvement is achieved, but environmental and developmental variants cause variability in trait expression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the genetic component from the phenotype by using genomic selection. Instead of evaluating the entire phenotype (which includes environmental and developmental influences), the system directly analyzes DNA to predict genetic merit, separating genetic effects from environmental noise and improving the precision of breeding value estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using genomic prediction accuracy and validation data to continuously improve selection models. Genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) are compared with actual performance data, and this feedback loop refines the prediction algorithms, improving the consistency and reliability of trait expression predictions across different environmental conditions.
3Productivity
If phenotypic selection is used, then breeding decisions are made, but genetic variability from complex gene action and environmental factors is not efficiently accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for breeding decisions from phenotypic measurements (which are influenced by environment and development) to genomic parameters (DNA markers and genetic sequences). This parameter change enables more accurate assessment of genetic value by directly measuring the genetic code rather than inferring it from phenotypic expression, thereby improving both precision and efficiency of breeding decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for developing a personalized program for the identification and breeding of animals of superior genetic merit for a variety of traits.