Yak Genomics

Yak Genomics Latest News

The first-ever chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak (Bos grunniens) has been successfully assembled by scientists from four ICAR institutes, marking a milestone in livestock genetics and Himalayan biodiversity research.

About Indian yak

• The Indian yak, often referred to as the “ship of the Himalayas”, plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of high-altitude pastoral communities, especially in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and other Himalayan states.
• Yaks are a source of meat, milk, fibre, dung fuel, and pack transport, making them essential to mountain economies.
• Yaks display exceptional cold tolerance, making them a biological model for studying adaptation to extreme climates.
• Domestic yak (Bos grunniens) is found at altitudes above 7,000 ft in:
  • Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Wild yak (Bos mutus) is found in Tibet, and the species extends to parts of Mongolia and Russia.
• Yaks belong to the genus Bos, making them close relatives of cattle (Bos primigenius).

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About ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak

• The ICAR-NRC on Yak was established in 1989 in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh.
• It serves as the apex institution for research in yak husbandry, including health, nutrition, breeding, and genetic conservation.

 Technological Methodology

• The team employed long-read sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics tools to achieve chromosome-level genome assembly, which provides precise mapping of genes on chromosomes.
• This enables a clearer understanding of genetic traits related to disease resistance, milk quality, fertility, and climate adaptation.

Yak Genomics FAQs

Q1: What is Yak Genomics?
Ans: Yak Genomics refers to the genomic sequencing and analysis of the domestic yak (Bos grunniens) to understand its adaptation to high altitudes and improve its productivity and health.

Q2: Which organisation led the Yak genome sequencing in India?
Ans: The National Research Centre on Yak (ICAR-NRCY) in Arunachal Pradesh carried out India’s first whole genome sequencing of the yak.

Q3: Where are yaks primarily found in India?
Ans: Yaks are primarily found in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Source: TH