Building a Better Horse Genome to Help Researchers Study Equine Diseases

Genome sequencing allows researchers to read and decipher genetic information found in DNA. It is especially useful for mapping genes that cause disease in animals. Morris Animal Foundation helped fund the first genome reference sequence for the domestic horse, released in 2009. Since that time, there have been dramatic improvements in sequencing technology and the computational hardware and algorithms used to analyze the data. Researchers will use this new technology to improve the reference genome for the horse and create a more complete map of the horse's genetic code. This map will help the research community find new approaches for tackling serious equine health problems.