One of the key aims of farm animal genetics and genomics research is to discover the genes underlying important traits such as disease resistance/susceptibility, feed efficiency, product quality and reproductive performance.
Once achieved, the genome sequence of wheat will empower plant biologists and plant breeders worldwide to better understand the biology underlying important traits and consequently, their improvement using modern molecular biology tools.
To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying important biological processes, a detailed description of the gene products networks involved is required.
Studies on evolutionary and domestication, as well as the genetic basis underlying important traits can be benefited from these genomic tools [ 15].
Further in-depth molecular dissection of these loci could therefore help to identify the genetic mechanisms underlying important traits in broiler breeding.
This will help to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying important traits and accelerate crop improvement in a cost-effective fashion by reducing the time required for effective genetic mapping in crops.
Non-synonymous SNPs are of particular interest because they are more likely to alter the structure and biological function of a protein, and therefore could be the causative mutations underlying important phenotypes.
Additionally, a physical map would facilitate tremendously the isolation of genes underlying important traits in the Triticeae species.
Identification of key regulatory genes and networks unique to either source or sink tissues not only gives us insight in tissue dependent gene subfunctionalization but will also greatly enhance the identification of the causative polymorphism(s) underlying important trait QTLs.
In addition to providing a better understanding of the organization, function, and evolution of a large and polyploid genome, the availability of a high-quality sequence anchored to genetic maps will accelerate the identification of genes underlying important agronomic traits.
