DNA Research Breakthrough Potentially Worth Millions to Beef Industry

Posted October 04, 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, October 4, 2002 2002-10-01-OTHER

DNA Research Breakthrough Potentially Worth Millions to Beef Industry

University of Saskatchewan researchers have come up with the world's first
reliable DNA test for selectively breeding beef cattle with superior meat
quality -- a discovery that could mean more than $100 million a year in
increased revenues to Western Canada's beef industry.

"This discovery is of global importance and a key development in the genetic
improvement of cattle," said Bernard Laarveld, head of animal and poultry
science. "It is an example of the kind of world-class genomics research
carried out at the U of S."

The test can identify which cows and bulls have a specific genetic variant
that has been found to increase marbling in beef and hence improve flavor.
Since cattle with this genetic variant are more likely to produce beef of
grade AAA or higher, use of the test also has the potential to increase the
value of selected breeding animals.

The test is not invasive and does not introduce any new genes or involve
gene transfer. All that's needed is a small sample of blood, hair roots, or
semen.

The research was published this summer in the international, peer-reviewed
journal Genetics, Selection and Evolution.

The variant is in the gene for leptin, a hormone that affects meat quality
characteristics. The variant was identified by Carolyn Fitzsimmons, a
graduate student in the lab of animal and poultry science professor Sheila
Schmutz.

"This change in the gene for leptin causes beef cattle to reach slaughter
weight sooner and develop more marbling in the carcass, which is a desired
characteristic in the beef industry for which producers are paid a premium,"
said Schmutz.

Leigh Marquess, a former graduate student who worked with Schmutz and
Fitzsimmmons, has started a company called Quantum Genetics Inc. to offer
the DNA test. Marquess has spent a year verifying the results of the
research field trials in commercial feedlots and ranches. His company has
applied for a Canadian patent on the use of the test in feedlot operations.

Marquess says the increased value per animal testing positive for the
genetic variant is about $100. "Applied across the Western Canadian beef
industry, this could easily exceed $100 million per year," he said.

The research that led to the discovery was funded primarily by the
Agriculture Development Fund of Saskatchewan, with additional contributions
from the Agri-Food Innovation Fund, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association,
the Alberta Cattle Commission, and the federal granting council NSERC.

"Research funding is an investment in the future," said Deputy Premier and
Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby. "It is
important that we support initiatives that will help to grow our industry
and our province. This technology is an important step towards improving the
quality of our beef and will help our producers to establish a distinct
brand. We are pleased to work with industry stakeholders to fund this type
of research."

Fitzsimmons, who is now doing a Ph.D. in Sweden, decoded the entire gene for
her Master's thesis. She found three genetic variants, and determined that
one of them changes an amino acid that affects the function of the critical
leptin hormone.

"I'm very pleased that this research is going to help ranchers, that a
graduate student played a key role in this work, and that a new company has
been spun off from this research by another one of my graduate students,"
said Schmutz.

She notes the leptin gene is not the only one that affects marbling in beef,
adding "We are on the hunt for others." Other tests related to meat
quality are also under development by the animal and poultry science
department.

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For more information, contact:

Professor Sheila Schmutz
Department of Animal and Poultry Science
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4153

Leigh Marquess
Quantum Genetics Inc.
(306) 220-1385
http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/munster/Quantum.html

Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
Office of the Vice-President Research
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research

Abdul Jalil
Director, Research
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
(306) 787-5960