Modeling Animal Genomics in Mice: An Authentic Approach for the Functional Interrogation of Evolutionarily and Agriculturally Critical Variants

The document explores the use of mouse models as a tool for validating genetic variants important for evolution and agriculture, emphasizing advances in genomic sequencing and editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas9. Mouse models have been used to study genetic mechanisms in evolution and validate livestock traits, such as the ZBED6-IGF2 interaction in pigs affecting muscle and fat. The study highlights the potential of β-catenin overexpression to enhance hair follicle density, relevant for wool quality in sheep. Despite some limitations, mouse models are crucial for understanding genetic mechanisms and improving agricultural productivity, with advanced gene-editing techniques and multi-omic analyses offering further insights into livestock genetics.