Development of a fully automated procedure of analysing DNA test results

Summary

Merial Limited is a global animal health company that provides genomic testing services for beef and dairy cattle.
The current process for deployment of genomic technology in the beef segment is somewhat adhoc and largely un-regulated.  There are no specific government bodies with a mandate to ensure product quality prior to market launch, though resources do exist that could facilitate this.  There has been a significant investment in development of genomic technologies for the beef industry but the success rate in delivery of impactful technology is less than desirable.  A number of the early entries in terms of the tests have not provided consistent results, nor does infrastructure exist that would allow marker data to be seamlessly integrated into a balanced assessment of genetic merit, taking in to account other phenotypic measures.
This project was designed to bring together and merge input from the Beef CRC with data and resources from the United States and Canada, into a single assessment which focuses on marker technology acquired on a global basis, not just within Australia.  Further, the nature of the Beef CRC data set allows for marker effects to be estimated for incorporation in to a genetic evaluation.​