Page 112 - NZ Herefords Magazine 2019 Edition

Using a number of complex processes, the genotyping 2. Complete your submission form correctly!
team take the DNA from the 96-well plates and bind it to ‘SNP a. Download the Neogen order form. You can find
chips’ (see below) for genotyping. SNP chips vary in the number the order form on the NZ Herefords website –
of samples they can take, according to how many SNPs per http://www.herefords.co.nz/neogen.html or you
sample are generated. In the picture below, the chip that has 96 can contact PBB and they will email it to you.
small rectangles (each representing one sample) could be either b. Ensure the details match the samples you send.
a SeekSire (approx. 500 SNPs) or a GGP50K; the chip that 3. Requesting parent verification.
has 24 slightly larger rectangles (each representing one sample) a. Ensure all nominated parents have both an identifier
could be a GGP150K chip. (e.g. registration number) and a SNP DNA case number
or hair card barcode listed on the submission form.
4. If you have any questions or require any guidance or
help, contact the PBB team on 06 323 4484 or dna@
pbbnz.com. They have the knowledge and know-
how to get you going.

While Neogen still accept hair, parentage verification, genetic
selection and BVD screening has never been easier than with
TSUs, collecting samples in seconds using minimal animal
restraint. A single-squeeze motion collects a sample with
minimal distress to the animal. The genetic material is sealed in
a specially designed preservative, yielding excellent lab results.
The TSU applicator is an ergonomic sampling plier that allows
quick loading and sampling. Most animals are not aware a
sample has been taken.

DNA COLLECTION USING A NEW
TISSUE SAMPLING UNIT,

ALLFLEX TSU.

The SNP chips are then run on a scanning machine that
can ‘read’ the individual SNP (DNA marker) information using
special SNP DNA labels that light up once excited by a laser
as either a red or green. These flashes are recorded by the
scanner machine and transmitted to the computer as a specific
genotype letter (A, C, G or T). This scanning occurs for each of
the 500, 50,000 or 150,000 SNP per sample on the chip. This ABOVE: DNA collection using a new tissue sampling Unit,
Allflex TSU
means that a single SNP chip can be transmitting up to almost
five million data points! It’s not uncommon for hair samples to be unreliable, cross-
contaminated or blown around in the dirt and faeces. Whilst
MAXIMISING SUCCESS they can still be an option for DNA testing, they are not
There are a number of things to maximise the success of your the preferred sampling method by top performing beef
samples: producers in New Zealand.
1. Collect and send fresh, well-labelled samples. “We changed to wet TSUs for ease of sampling. It is
a. Wet TSUs are preferred and are more cost-effective. much easier than hair samples, especially at different times
b. Hair samples are also accepted. (Note: approx. 25 of the year when the tail can be covered in mud and muck.
hair follicles required per test.) Hair samples can go mouldy and as a result we would have
110