The genomics of the rabbit: advances, applications and prospects

Abstract

The last development of sequencing technologies and of novel genomic approaches have revolutionized our knowledge of livestock genomes and have significantly improved the selection of some domestic species, especially dairy cattle. With the full sequencing of the rabbit genome, achieved by the Broad Institute (Boston, USA), together with the development of a commercial high-density SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) markers chip, achieved in 2016 in the frame of a European project (COST Action TD1101 “A Collaborative European Network on Rabbit Genome Biology – RGB-Net), the rabbit entered the genomic era. This aim of this review is to provide updated knowledge on the rabbit genome and to make an inventory of published genes or genomic regions associated with functions or traits of interest. We are describing here the principle of genomic tools (genetic maps, SNP chip, and sequencing) and methods (QTL detection, candidate gene analyses, and identification of causal mutations) already applied in the rabbit. These novel approaches give a new insight into the evolution and domestication of rabbits. We also describe two research projects based on these methodologies to investigate disease resistance and feed efficiency. A prospective view of the genomic selection (a new method based on high-density molecular information) is also proposed. This review was previously published in the Journées de la Recherche Cunicole congress in November 2017.