A nonhuman animal cancer model is described. The animal model includes an animal of the genus Peromyscus and xenograft cancer cells implanted in the animal. Methods for utilizing the animal model can include evaluation of growth and development of cancer cells, as well as evaluation of known and potential cancer treatment therapies. The animal model can be utilized to examine the efficacy of an anticancer therapy at the preclinical stage, can be utilized to screen potential cancer treatments in an individualized cancer treatment protocol, and can be utilized for identification of biomarkers associated with particular cancers and/or particular anticancer therapies, among other beneficial uses.

A non-human animal model, method, spring, and kit for testing agents for treating wound scarring. The non-human test animal has a wound in a skin surface thereof, the wound having a perimeter edge; and a garter spring attached to the skin surface of the test animal in a position outside of the perimeter edge of the wound. The garter spring optionally has one or more bands for constricting the force exerted by the coil of the garter spring.

A non-human animal model, method, spring, and kit for testing agents for treating wound scarring. The non-human test animal has a wound in a skin surface thereof, the wound having a perimeter edge; and a garter spring attached to the skin surface of the test animal in a position outside of the perimeter edge of the wound. The garter spring optionally has one or more bands for constricting the force exerted by the coil of the garter spring.

The present invention relates to a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs and a use thereof, and specifically, a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs, comprising a polynucleotide consisting of 5 to 300 consecutive nucleotides comprising the nucleotides from the 1524.sup.th to the 1527.sup.th positions in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide complementary thereto, a composition for determining meat quality traits of pigs comprising an agent capable of detecting the genetic marker, a composition for determining Korean native pigs, a kit, a microarray, a method for determining meat quality traits of pigs, and a method for determining meat quality traits of Korean native pigs. The genetic marker of the present invention is a specific marker for determining the meat quality traits of pigs, and thus the marker can be used not only as a means for the objective evaluation of meat quality traits of pigs that cannot be determined by the naked eye but also as a means for distinguishing between foreign pigs and Korean native pigs, and is thereby capable of contributing to the establishment of distribution order of pork meat.

The present invention relates to a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs and a use thereof, and specifically, a genetic marker for determining meat quality traits of pigs, comprising a polynucleotide consisting of 5 to 300 consecutive nucleotides comprising the nucleotides from the 1524.sup.th to the 1527.sup.th positions in the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide complementary thereto, a composition for determining meat quality traits of pigs comprising an agent capable of detecting the genetic marker, a composition for determining Korean native pigs, a kit, a microarray, a method for determining meat quality traits of pigs, and a method for determining meat quality traits of Korean native pigs. The genetic marker of the present invention is a specific marker for determining the meat quality traits of pigs, and thus the marker can be used not only as a means for the objective evaluation of meat quality traits of pigs that cannot be determined by the naked eye but also as a means for distinguishing between foreign pigs and Korean native pigs, and is thereby capable of contributing to the establishment of distribution order of pork meat.

The invention encompasses methods for increasing genetic progress in livestock, and for genetic dissemination, including the use of amniocentesis to obtain fetal amniocytes for use in genomic evaluation and cloning.

The invention encompasses methods for increasing genetic progress in livestock, and for genetic dissemination, including the use of amniocentesis to obtain fetal amniocytes for use in genomic evaluation and cloning.

The present invention provides method of classifying a subject into a necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) disease risk group. The method may include assessing the presence of one or more marker (e.g., SNPs or risk loci) in a sample from the subject. For example, detection of the presence of one or more markers that are associated with an increased risk of NME can indicate that the subject should be classified into a risk group.

Methods for identifying animals that are genetically superior, drugs, nutritional strategies, or physiological manipulations that improve feed efficiency or productivity of animals, e.g., selecting animals that are genetically superior for feed efficiency or productivity based on metabolic rates of particular tissues, wherein metabolic rates of certain tissues such as skeletal muscle are inversely proportional to feed efficiency, while metabolic rates of other tissues such as mammary gland are directly proportional to milk production. Thus, animals with low skeletal muscle metabolic rates are generally more feed efficient, e.g., gain more weight per unit of food. The methods herein may be used to improve the genetics, nutrition, and handling or animals more efficiently produced animal products, e.g., meat production, milk, production, egg production, wool production, etc. The methods herein may also be used to determine estimated breeding values of animals for feed efficiency, growth, or production.

A method of selecting a ruminating animal having a desirable, hereditable trait is disclosed. The method comprises analyzing in the microbiome of the animal for an amount of a hereditable microorganism which is associated with the hereditable trait, wherein the amount of the hereditable microorganism is indicative as to whether the animal has a desirable hereditable trait.