NDDB develops complete parent-wise genome assembly of buffalo

Building upon the successful launch of Induschip, a customized genotyping chip for indigenous cattle, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has achieved another milestone with the development of world's first complete parent-wise genome assembly of buffalo. Named as 'NDDB ABRO Murrah', the genome assembly of riverine buffaloes would provide more insights about the buffalo genome.

The genome assembly developed by NDDB has achieved more than 99 per cent genome coverage, NDDB chairman Dilip Rath said in a statement. This newly developed genome assembly would provide more insights about the buffalo genome and desired impetus for implementing genomic selection programme in buffaloes to achieve faster genetic progress in Indian buffalo population.

The Buffaloes are contributing more than 50 per cent of India's milk production. The estimated population of world buffalo is 224.4 million, of which 219 million (97.58 per cent) are in Asia.

India has 113.3 million buffaloes, and they comprise approximately 50.5 per cent of the total world buffalo population. Buffaloes are more resistant to ticks and certain diseases. In comparison to cattle, buffalo milk contains high-fat percentage. Buffaloes being most widely reared in the developing countries for milk production, developing a reference genome will help in deciphering biological differences and faster genetic improvement of buffaloes.

Murrah genome assemblies were submitted by NDDB scientist in US-based National Centre for Biotechnology Information database on April 25, the world DNA day. With this, NDDBs team of scientists joins the league of a few elite genomic research teams in the world to have developed accurate and haplotype-resolved genome, NDDB release said.