Genomics and Genetics of Meat Production and Other Economically Important Traits in Domestic Animals

Over the past three decades, genetic research and breeding have greatly enhanced the meat yield of livestock and aquaculture. With the completion of whole-genome sequencing in multiple species, numerous candidate genes and loci associated with meat yield have been identified. However, meat yield and other production traits often exhibit complex interactions, including both antagonistic and synergistic relationships. For instance, improved meat yield may negatively affect disease resistance but positively correlate with meat quality. Despite these advantages, the genetic mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly understood, highlighting the need for further investigation into the genetic basis of related traits.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying the regulation of growth, meat yield, disease resistance, and meat quality in domestic animals, as well as the intricate interactions among these economically important traits. By integrating multi-omics approaches, including whole-genome resequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics, single-cell omics, and epigenomics, this Research Topic seeks to identify key molecules with single or multiple effects. Ultimately, this collection will provide valuable insights for the genetic improvement of livestock or aquaculture, contributing to more balanced breeding strategies that optimize both meat yield and other economically important traits.

To gather further insights into the complex genetics underlying meat yield and related economic performance in livestock and aquaculture, we welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Identification of genetic loci and candidate genes associated with meat yield and other economic traits;
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms regulating growth, meat quality, and disease resistance;
• Discovery and validation of molecular markers contributing to economically important traits;
• Novel breeding methods and applications for balancing multiple production traits.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Domestic animals, Livestock, Meat Yield, Other Economic Traits, Multiple Effects Genes or Loci

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.