Glossary and Abbreviations

Glossary

biotechnology	(also bioscience technology) the use of biological systems — living things — to make or change products. It includes both traditional biotechnology such as baking bread, brewing beer and making cheese, and modern biotechnology (also called gene technology) that includes the discovery of genes (genomics), understanding gene functions and interactions (functional genomics), use of DNA markers and genetic modification, which includes controlling gene activity, modifying genes and transferring genes.
chromosomes	Organised structures of DNA and proteins found in cells
condensed tannins	A component of plant cells that can bind to proteins, which may be useful to prevent bloat and reduce methane emissions. However, condensed tannins are also regarded as 'antinutritional' compounds that reduce protein digestibilty and palatability.
digestibility	The proportion of food not excreted in urine and manure that is assumed to be absorbed by the animal.
DNA marker	A known variation in the DNA sequence that researchers can useto identify features if an animal or plant. This includes uses such as confirming the pedigree of the individual and assessing performance (for example, milk production or feed quality).
DNA sequence	The order of nucleotides (units) of DNA.
Dry matter	The material remaining in a biological (fodder or pasture) sample after the water content has been removed.
endophyte	A naturally-occurring fungus that lives in a symbiotic (win-win) relationship with a host plant, such as ryegrass, obtaining nutrients from it and in return providing protection from insect pests and from overgrazing by animals.

epigenetics	The study of how proteins and other molecules that bind to DNA and chromosomes can change gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.
expression cassette	The genetic package used to create transgenic plants. It is typically made up of one or more genes and the sequences controlling their expression.
fructan	The main storage form of sugars in grass plants. CRC activities are seeking to increase the level of stored sugars in leaves so that they can be consumed by livestock
functional genomics	The study of the biological function of genes and their products.

gene	A segment of DNA that carries the instructions for a heritable trait.
gene expression	Process by which inheritable information from a gene is made into a functional gene product, such as protein or RNA.
gene silencing	A gene technology method to turn down or switch off the activity of genes.
gene technology	The modern application of biotechnology and includes the discovery of genes (genomics), understanding gene functions and interactions (functional genomics), use of DNA markers and genetic modification, which includes controlling gene activity, modifying genes and transferring genes.
genetic engineering (GE)	See 'genetic modification'.
genetical genomics	Studies of the genetic basis of gene expression.
genome	The entire genetic makeup, or all the genes, of an organism. This hereditary information is encoded in the DNA or — for some viruses — the RNA.
genome mapping	Developing a map of the entire genome (genetic makeup) for an individual organism such as a bull, cow, pasture cultivar or endophyte.
genomics	The large-scale use of DNA information to estimate the genetic merit of cattle. This includes knowledge of differences in DNA sequences of individual cattle and associating these differences with actual performance
genotype	Genetic makeup of an individual.
metabolisable energy	The energy available in feed that can be used by livestock. It is comprised of the energy that can be digested by the animal less energy lost through urine and the production of methane
molecular marker	See DNA marker.
phenomics	The detailed study of visible traits of characteristics of a plant or animal.
phenotype	Visible traits or characteristics in an organism.
proteins	Large organic compounds made of amino acids. They are essential parts of organisms and participate in every cellular process.
stem cell	A stem cell is an 'unprogrammed' cell that has the potential to develop into a specialised cell, such as muscle cells, nerve cells etc. Among other applications, the CRC is interested in the use of stem cells to generate female-only sperm.
transgenic	Refers to an organism containing deliberately inserted DNA.
transgenic technologies	Technologies that transfer DNA from one organism to another.
warm-season pasture grasses	Grasses that have a method of photosynthesis that is different to temperate grasses (the C4 pathway) and are common in sub-tropical and tropical environemnets. Warm-season pasture grasses include paspalum, kikuyu and brachiaria.

Abbreviations
ABV(g)	Genomic-based Australian Breeding Value
ABV	Australian Breeding Value
ADF	Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd
ADHIS	Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme
AI	Artificial insemination
APR	Australian Profit Ranking (the Australian national breeding objective)
ASI	Australian Selection Index (the genetic selection index for milk production)
CRC	Cooperative Research Centre
DA	Dairy Australia
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid (the key component in the storage of genetic information)
DPI	Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
GM	Genetically modified / genetic modification
GMO	Genetically modified organism
IDP	Cooperative Research Centre for Innovative Dairy Products
IP	Intellectual property
MAS	Marker assisted selection (the use of DNA-based markers to make genetic selection decisions)
OGTR	Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
PCR	Polymerase chain reaction (a method of increasing the quantity of DNA for analysis)
PhD	Doctor of Philosophy
QTL	Quantitative trait locus (a form of variation in DNA sequences)
RNA	Ribonucleic acid (a key component of the regulation of genes and synthesis of proteins)
SME	Small-to-medium sized enterprise
SNP	(single nucleotide polymorphism): Differences in just one of the DNA base pairs in the genetic sequence, which can affect the functioning of a gene. SNPs are one form a gene (DNA) marker.
SSR	Simple sequence repeat (a form of variation in DNA sequences)
VABC	Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre