Plant and Animal Genotyping
From Genomic Variants to Physical Traits
Animal and plant genotyping has become a mainstay of modern agricultural research. Illumina microarrays enable high-throughput screening of known genomic markers to inform selection and breeding decisions. Array-based studies can also be used to discover novel associations between SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers and traits or diseases.
Plant and Animal Genotyping Applications
Custom Arrays for Animal and Plant Genotyping
Not every nonhuman organism has been extensively genetically investigated, resulting in an absence of commercial genotyping arrays for certain plant and animal species. We offer custom microarrays that can be designed with all the discovered markers for species of interest, enabling genotyping studies to identify variants associated with desired phenotypic traits. Through ongoing work with major agrigenomics consortia, our technology is being used to identify new, relevant markers in a wide range of species.
Copy Number Variation Studies
A common form of natural diversity, copy number variation (CNV) is also heritable. It appears to play an important role in agrigenomics. CNV differences can correlate to health and production traits, and contribute to phenotypic diversity. In animal and plant genotyping studies, the distribution of high-density probes can be used to identify CNV breakpoints and ultimately accelerate genomic improvements. Studies are ongoing to determine if the impact of CNVs is the result of differences in copy number for key genomic segments, structural modification of the genome, or a combination of both.
Fine Mapping and Candidate Gene Region Genotyping
Microarray-based animal and plant genotyping can be used to create fine map traits and/or test a genotype-phenotype hypothesis. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses can be performed on the results to characterize how differential gene expression might contribute to phenotypic variation.
Whole-Genome Association Studies
Association mapping across an entire animal or plant genome provides insight into the genetic location and architecture of linking traits to species’ adaption (eg, to a wide variety of environmental conditions). The results of these studies support whole-genome selection applications (eg, fingerprinting, net merit, marker-assisted breeding) that enhance the value of commercial crops and herds. Illumina microarrays offer focused content, custom capabilities, and convenient add-on content capabilities.
Featured Animal and Plant Genotyping Stories
High-Throughput Animal and Plant Genotyping
GeneSeek uses custom Illumina microarrays to genotype cattle, sheep, pigs, and various crops. The resulting information supports selective breeding practices.
Read More
Animal Genotyping is Transforming the Future of the Agriculture Industry
Genotyping will enable dairy farms to adapt to changing climate and farming conditions, while producing milk that needs less processing.
Read More
10 Years of Genomic Selection Drives Returns for Canadian Dairy Farmers
Productivity gains and heifer selection are driving returns that are resulting in farm efficiency and competitiveness.
Read MoreAnimal Genotyping Customer Stories
Improved Breeding Plans for Beef Cattle
Sébastian Clairand, manager of the meat sector at Evolution and director of selection company Charolais Univers, and Antoine Chedru, a fourth-generation cattle breeder, discuss how genomic selection has increased gains in beef cattle through improved breeding plans, the ability to select for specific genes, and a quicker, better understanding of a bull’s genetic value.
How Genomic Testing Improves Dairy Cattle Herds
General manager of the Canadian Dairy Network Brian Van Doormaal discusses how genomic testing can better define the value of milking cows and improve dairy herds. Brian Anderson, a fifth-generation dairy farmer, shares his own experience with genotyping cows, including doubled production, longer-lasting cows, and the significant benefits genotyping can offer in the future.
Featured Products for Plant and Animal Genotyping
iScan System
A high-precision scanner that supports an extensive range of array applications, including genotyping, methylation profiling, and cytogenetic analysis.
View Product
iSelect HD Custom Genotyping BeadChips
Interrogate virtually any target across any species to create a fully customized genotyping array tailored to your unique study needs.
View Product
Infinium XT
Infinium XT is a comprehensive microarray solution that enables production-scale genotyping of up to 50,000 single or multi-species custom variants.
View ProductSee More Agrigenomics Content
The user-friendly "Recommended Links" feature allows you to easily find content and products relevant to agricultural genomics and/or other fields of interest. You can access this option from the top of any illumina.com page.
Explore Resources & Tools
We offer training and everything else for your workflow, from start to finish. From learning about our technology to making sense of your data, purchasing what you need, and getting support, we'll set you up for success.
Interested in receiving newsletters, case studies, and information on agrigenomics? Enter your email address.
Additional Resources
Bovine Genotyping Improves Milk Production
The BovineSNP50 BeadChip enables Martin Dairy to accelerate genetic progress of Jersey herd.
The Future of Beef Cattle Breeding
Sandhill Farms incorporates genomic technologies into the trait selection process to provide more predictable seed stock.
Consortium to Grow Better Cotton
Researchers developed a cotton genotyping array, enabling breeders to produce more sustainable and valuable cotton.
Modern Breeding Programs for the Sunflower
The sunflower industry adopts genomics tools to better inform breeding decisions and improve disease resistance.
Library Prep and Array Kit Selector
Determine the best kit for your needs based on your starting material and method or application.
Polyploid Organism Genotyping
GenomeStudio Software now contains a polyploid clustering module for analyzing species with the most complicated genomes.
Custom Genotyping Options
The broadest range of marker density and the most flexible content for any genome, in any species.