Simply Speaking
I am interested in understanding why individuals vary one from the other. Most characteristics, whether it is in a population of humans or of farm animals, vary from individual to individual. Some are taller, some shorter; some are quick growing and some slow growing; some are more susceptible to disease and some more resistant. Variation in such characteristics is usually controlled by many different genes combined with environmental factors such as diet and upbringing. However, for most characteristics we know very little about the genes that are involved or how they act to influence an individual’s growth, strength and health. Therefore, my research involves analysing variation of characteristics in large populations of animals or humans and attempting to identify the genes that may contribute to this variation. An improved knowledge of how genes act to control variation between individuals could be valuable in a number of ways. For example an understanding of the biology would help in the design of drugs to combat disease in humans and livestock and knowledge of the genes involved could help select cows that have naturally more efficient milk production.