Vol.5 (2015)

Volume 5 captures a moment of rapid technological advancement, driven largely by the decreasing cost and increasing accessibility of next-generation sequencing. This influx of data allows for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that pinpoint genetic variants controlling economically important traits with unprecedented accuracy. The journal explores the revolutionary potential of genome editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, presenting early proof-of-concept studies for introducing desirable traits like polledness in cattle or disease resistance in pigs. Alongside these breakthroughs, the volume maintains a strong focus on immunology and vaccine development, featuring novel subunit vaccines and adjuvants designed using reverse vaccinology. The ethical discourse deepens, with dedicated articles examining the societal implications of directly manipulating animal genomes.