Animal Genetics Lab

The genome means "entire genetic information" of an organism. Individual differences of the sequences of DNA, which constitutes the genome, are considerable even within a species. The difference is bigger between individuals of different species. We are studying the genomic differences within/between species and the degree of genetic diversity. Such studies have a great potential to contribute to many applied areas such as breeding of livestock, reproduction of rare captive animals, and conservation of endangered wild populations.

We are investigating relationships between genomic and phenotypic differences in morphological and behavioural traits. In particular, we focus on genes related to the sense of taste and animal coat colours. A single substitution of nucleic acids of a taste receptor gene, for example, results in a loss a particular bitter taste. Our aim is to understand differences of the sense of taste between individuals at the molecular level and to contribute to a better understanding of animal foraging behaviour, breeding of livestock, and the development of animal feeds.

Phylogenetic relationships between species can be studied by close investigation of DNA sequence differences. For example, domestic dogs and wolves are genetically very close to each other, and now we are quite sure that domestic dogs have originated from wolves domesticated somewhere in the world. We are studying the origin of domestic animals through genomic investigations. We are also studying phylogenetic relationships of various animal species toward a better understanding of animal morphology, physiology, and behaviour from the evolutionary viewpoint.