Filling the Knowledge Gap: Integrating Quantitative Genetics and Genomics in Graduate Education and Outreach

The genomics revolution provides vital tools to address global food security. Yet to be incorporated into livestock breeding, molecular techniques need to be integrated into a quantitative genetics framework. Within the U.S., with shrinking faculty numbers with the requisite skills, the capacity to train professionals with such expertise is at risk. Those same proficiencies are also necessary to guide adoption of genomic-enhanced tools within animal agriculture. A solution is to share resources across academic and research institutions, and industry, to deliver high-quality instruction to a broad audience. Here we describe two such collaborative efforts – an acrossinstitutional graduate curriculum and a joint university, USDA and beef cattle industry training project – that use innovations in educational and outreach programing to prepare professionals in genetics and genomics. Only through such partnerships, will genomic technologies be fully integrated into livestock production.