[1-1] Research Interests

We try to understand genetic basis of Mendelian traits and quantitative traits in livestock animals and to know the history of domestication and breed establishment.

Livestock animals show phenotypic variation in a large number of traits including Mendelian traits and quantitative traits. We would like to know what genetic loci and mechanisms control the phenotypic variation, such as egg production, egg components, growth performance, and behavior. We use genome-wide molecular markers and phenotypes in many populations to understand the genotype-phenotype relationship.

Many breeds have been established in livestock animals so far. They have acquired some adaptive traits including high productivity by layer and broiler industries (artificial selection) and heat-, cold-, and disease-resistance by extreme environments (natural selection) from the domestication events of the wild ancestors. We would like to know the history of domestication and breed establishment. We use genomic information in many populations including wild and domestic animals to find some evidences of the history.