Microbiome-Wide Association Studies (MWAS) in Animal Breeding - BioVenic

The collection of microbiota information makes it possible to analyze the interactions between complex traits and microbial communities in various parts of the animal and human body. The role of microorganisms in infectious diseases is widely known and symbiotic microorganisms also play an important role in laying the foundation for non-communicable diseases. MWAS (Microbiome-wide Association Studies) are able to link the entire microbiome or its features to phenotypes, such as disease and complete traits, and provide appropriate control over the composition of the microbiome and the unusual statistical features of microbiome datasets. BioVenic the experience in animal-related R&D studies, advanced technology platforms and equipment, and data processing and analysis teams to provide professional and high-quality MWAS services to help our clients solve technical challenges in animal breeding.

Characteristics of MWAS

MWAS is similar to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in that both aim to link complex sets of features, such as genes to phenotypes. But MWAS and GWAS also differ in several ways. Firstly, the microbiome contains much more genes than the host genome, so the issue of multiple comparisons is more important for MWAS. Secondly, all individuals share a nearly identical set of genes from the same population, but individuals differ greatly in terms of microbial species and microbial genes. Thirdly, genes in the human genome can be easily calculated, but most microbiome data are available in relative abundance. Finally, the composition of the microbiome varies over time within the host. Based on these four points, MWAS is primarily used to study metabolism-related disease mechanisms and microbiome-influenced traits, compared to GWAS which focuses on genetic diseases and heritable traits.

Application of MWAS in Animal Breeding

MWAS is the ideal method for linking the entire microbiome or its characteristics to phenotypes such as diseases. Two important elements of the microbiome are its taxonomic composition, which may be influenced by the overall diversity of species or by specific taxa, and its specific collective genetics or metabolic pathways that may play a key role in causing disease. The molecular state of the microbiome may interact through a myriad of feedback mechanisms that constantly react with each other and produce the observed disease outcome or unique traits.

• MWAS Applications for Unique Traits
  MWAS enables the unique phenotype of an animal to be associated with the microbiome in the animal. MWAS is often used to analyze the relationship between feed efficiency and product performance, growth parameters, and greenhouse gas emission in economic animals.
• MWAS Applications for Genetic Disorders
  MWAS is often used to investigate the relationship between metabolic disease, inflammatory, or psychiatric disorders, and the microbiome in the host. Therefore, MWAS can also be used to study the mechanisms of a variety of diseases in animals.

Our Services

Through a matrix of microbial relationships between host animals, MWAS has been used to effectively assess the impact of the microbiome on animal traits and diseases. With years of experience in animal breeding, BioVenic provides a wide range of MWAS-based breeding solutions for economic and companion animals to facilitate our customers' projects. Moreover, we specialize in biotics data analysis and has a wide range of algorithms to provide personalized data analysis services to facilitate our clients' animal breeding projects.

Workflow of MWAS

Want to Learn More?

BioVenic leverages advanced equipment and platforms, extensive animal breeding experience, and a dedicated team of data analysis in order to provide MWAS-based animal breeding services. We develop optimal solutions and data analysis services for your unique animal breeding projects. If you are interested in our services, please contact us and tell us more about your project.