A set of detailed, step-by-step instructions or rules to be followed by a computer.

One of two or more forms of a gene or a genetic region. A population usually includes multiple alleles at specific locations of the DNA/genome.

A group of microorganisms that grow without oxygen; these degrade plant fibre.

Microorganisms without an organised nucleus (prokaryotes) that can be found in the rumen; they are the sole methane producers in the rumen and most often do this by feeding on hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

A large group so single-celled microorganisms with cell walls but no organelles and no nucleus. Bacteria can be both beneficial and pathogenic (causing disease).

Mathematical formulation for learning from experience. In light of the evidence provided by data (a likelihood), pre-existing beliefs (a prior) are updated to reflect beliefs better aligned with the observed data (a posterior).

Extremely large and complex datasets that are challenging to store, process, analyse, and interpret. Data scientists often need specialised tools and methods to work with big data.

Biological efficiency refers to comparing some aspect of animal performance at the individual or herd level. Biological efficiency may include traits such as energy conversion, growth and offspring production. 

The extent to which the genotypes determine individuals’ phenotypes. 

The level of physical compaction of chromatin.

Structure made of DNA and proteins that enable the DNA to be packed in the nucleus.

The basic structure into which the DNA is arranged inside the cells.

The coding region of a gene are the parts of a gene’s DNA that code for a protein.

Using a programming language to communicate with a computer and provide it with instructions, referred to as an algorithm.

In comparative genomics, the genomic features of different organisms are compared. Examples of such genomic features are genes and gene order.

Complex traits do not follow the principle of simple Mendelian inheritance, where one gene codes for one trait. These traits show a continuous range of variation, and environmental and genetic factors influence them. Complex traits are also known as quantitative traits. 

Interdisciplinary field that combines tools from statistics, mathematics, and computer science to find interesting patterns from complex datasets, including big data.

A structured collection of related information—numbers, measurements, words, or descriptions—that has been gathered and stored for a specific reason.

The ability of organisms to withstand a pathogen challenge and remain virtually unaffected. Animals with higher disease resistance are less likely to get sick.

An epigenetic mechanism that occurs by adding a methyl (CH3) group to DNA, thereby often modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression.

A long molecule that contains our unique genetic code. It holds the instructions for making all the proteins in our bodies.

An imbalance of the microbiota within a microbial community that causes a shift from commensal (or beneficial) microbes to pathogenic microbes that leaves the host more susceptible to illness and disease.  

An unbalanced microbiota community in an environment can lead to the growth of pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria, which leaves the host more sensible to illness and diseases. 

The study of changes in DNA that do not involve changes in DNA sequence.

The application of epigenetics to the full genome. It includes, in particular, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility.

The part of the gene that has the instructions to make a protein. 

The process of identifying genetic regions and adding information on the function of these regions.

This branch of biology focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of life and using this knowledge to understand many of the challenges in everyday life, from animal health and disease to loss of biodiversity and environmental quality.

Gene expression is the process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a functional product, RNA.

Section within the genome that carries the information to make a molecule, usually a protein. They contain the instructions for our individual characteristics, like eye and hair colour. Genes are split into coding (exons) and non-coding sequences (introns) in humans and other complex organisms. By variable use of these sections, a gene can make more than one type of protein.

A genetic marker is a gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify individuals or species. 

Differences in DNA between individuals that make them different.  

Genetics is a branch of biology concerned with studying genes, genetic variation, and organism heredity.

Some traits are strongly influenced by genes, while the environment strongly influences others. The interplay between genes and the environment is called genome-by-environment interaction. Most traits, however, are controlled by one or more genes interacting in complex ways with the environment.

Intentionally altering a DNA sequence in a living cell.

All the genetic material in the chromosomes of a particular organism. 

Genomic regions with a known function.  

Computing approach that predicts the phenotypes of animals only based on their genetic information (by scoring DNA markers such as SNPs). The output of this calculation is named breeding value.

Genomics is a discipline that studies the structure and function of all of an organism’s genes (the genome), including the interactions of the genes with each other and the organism’s environment.

The complete set of genes possessed by an organism.

The adverse effects of high temperature on animals and other living organisms .

An animal whose diet is composed of plants and plant material. Herbivores can be divided into two groups:  

• Grazers:  herbivores that feed mainly on grasses(Cattle, Sheep) 
• Browsers: herbivores that feed on leaves and shoots from trees and bushes/plants rather than grasses (Goats). 

The passing on of characteristics genetically from one generation to another.

Heritability is a measure of the contribution of genes to any trait in an animal population. It estimates how an animal will transmit its genetic characteristics to the next generation. Heritability can be calculated for any trait that can be measured.

Modifications to histones that regulate the physical properties of chromatin, and consequently, these modifications may affect gene expression.

A protein found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, which is involved in packaging DNA into structural units called nucleosomes.

The sophisticated methods used to investigate and explore the host animal, its microbiomes, and its interactions as one big organism. 

The assemblage of a host and the microbes living in or around it and living and interacting with each other.

Part of a gene that is not used to make a protein and is cut out from the RNA between transcription and translation.

The use of algorithms to teach a computer how to automatically learn from data and improve from experience without help from a human. 

The study of the pool of all the DNA in a sample belonging to various (micro)organisms, e.g. the content of a rumen or tissue. 

CH4 – gas produced by microbial processes, including in the rumen; a fuel and potent greenhouse gas. CH4- in the rumen, potent greenhouse gas produced by microbial processes.

Single-celled organisms (both prokaryotes and eukaryotes), that require the use of a microscope to be seen by the human eye. This includes bacteria/archaea (prokaryotes) and amoeba (single-celled eukaryote). The term microbe is sometimes used to describe viruses as well.  

In analogy to heritability, microbiability refers to the proportion of the host-phenotypic variance the microbiota explains. 

During the microbial fermentation process, microbes break down the food eaten by animals, such as plants, without using oxygen. This produces products like volatile fatty acids (like acetate, propionate and butyrate), microbial protein, and vitamins, which provide energy and nutrition for the animal. 

Microbial metabolic activity that takes substrates such as the plant material ingested by the host animal and, in the absence of oxygen,  produces by-products, such as volatile fatty acids (for example, acetate, propionate, butyrate), microbial protein and vitamins, which constitute the host’s primary energy and nutrient sources.  

The influence of the microbes’ action/presence/abundance on a host phenotype of interest. 

Microbial genes, organisms, or by-products used as indicators of change in an animal phenotype.

Community of microbes, their genetic material and the surrounding environmental conditions in a defined source.

The extent to which phenotypes are determined by the genes transmitted from the parents. 

A structure in cells that contains the genome and acts as the control room for the cell.

A term describing the study of genetic/protein/chemical information from an organism or group of organisms, such as microbial communities.

A type of computer software that is community developed and supported. Open-source code and software.

Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease. 

All the observable physical characteristics of an organism, including colour, shape, size, biochemical properties and performance, which result from the expression of its genotype in a given environment. 

The ability of a living being to withstand/cope with external challenges (e.g. heat stress, disease) and maintain their characteristics (e.g. milk productivity, health).

Precision breeding uses innovative techniques such as sensors and detectors and novel breeding techniques such as genomic selection and genome editing. By using these techniques, breeders can target specific traits and parts of the genome for selection, allowing faster achievement of breeding goals.

Single-cell animals with an organised nucleus (eukaryotes). In the rumen, they feed on plant fibre and starch but also predate on bacteria.  

A nucleic acid similar in structure and properties to DNA but only has a single strand of bases. RNA is the messenger that transfers the information DNA contains to make a protein.

Herbivorous mammals, including but not limited to sheep, goats, and cattle, with a 4-chambered stomach in which nutrients from plant material are accessed via microbial fermentation. 

Choosing parents with particular characteristics to breed and produce offspring with more desirable characteristics.

The method of determining the order of letters or bases in DNA or amino acids in a protein molecule.

A simplified imitation of a real-world system in a controlled environment.

A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism or SNP is a variation at a single position in a DNA sequence among individuals.

An organised collection of related algorithms that work together for a particular task or have a similar function.

Potential for the long-term survival of a system defined in terms of financial viability, environmental impacts and public perception. 

A system in which natural resources are harvested for human consumption in a way that encourages the protection and regeneration of the environmental inputs of the system as well as its economic viability and social justice. 

The process by which the instructions in DNA are converted into a functional product. The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information, from DNA to RNA, to make a functional product, a protein. 

A distinguishing quality or characteristic. 

A pathogenic (disease causing) agent made of a nucleic acid molecule coated in protein, that is too small so be seen using a microscope (submicroscopic), and multiplies using the living cells of its host organism.

Diseases transmitted from vertebrates, non-human mammals, to people.