IISER Bhopal cracks draft genome of four Indian cow breeds.

February 2, 2023

For the first time, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research has unravelled genetic makeup of native Indian cow breeds i.e., Kasargod Dwarf, Kasargod Kapila, Vechur, and Ongole.
Native Indian cows have special abilities such as tolerant to heat, resistant to certain diseases.
- Till now, there is no genome of Indian cows available and country dependent other countries.
The scientists have identified a specific set of genes in the native Indian cow breeds that showed sequence and structural variation compared to the genes of the western cattle species. This may provide valuable insights into how Indian breeds adapt to tropical conditions.
- The genome structure can be used to improve the breeding and management of these cows, leading to increased productivity and sustainability in the Indian cattle industry, said IISER.
The genome is like a blueprint or a set of instructions required by an organism, like a plant or animal, to live and survive.
- It’s made up of tiny units called genes, which contain the information needed for the organism to grow, develop, and function properly.
By understanding the genome, scientists can learn important information about the organism, like how it might be related to certain diseases or traits.