Professor Tuggle will coordinate the programme with Cathy Ernst, a professor of animal science at Michigan State University.

The programme facilitates sharing of genomic tools and sequence information to understand the mechanism affecting genetic traits; arranges the distribution of animals and genomic data; and helps develop bioinformatics resources to aid researchers around the nation. A draft sequence of the pig genome was completed and published in 2012.

”Coordination of USDA animal genome research through this programme has been extremely successful in the past, and has led to multiple multi-state collaborative projects,” said Professor Tuggle. “I look forward to helping scientists work together to advance our understanding of the pig genome.”

In 1993, the research arm of the USDA decided it would support cooperation and collaboration among genome scientists working with livestock and set up a competitive request to select coordinators for swine, cattle, sheep and horses. Max Rothschild, C.F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture at Iowa State, was selected to be the first swine coordinator and served for 20 years.

The Swine Genome Coordination programme was renewed in September for a five-year period with funding from the National Research Support programme.