NZ researchers generate reference set of genome sequences of microbes found in sheep and cattle stomachs

In New Zealand, a global scientific project led by New Zealand researchers, which has generated a reference set of genome sequences of microbes found in the stomachs of sheep and cattle, has been published in the respected international scientific journal Nature Biotechnology.

The project, called the Hungate1000, was led by former AgResearch scientist Dr Bill Kelly, and AgResearch scientist Dr Sinead Leahy. The pair brought together nearly 60 scientists from 14 research organisations across nine countries, who collaborated to generate a reference catalogue of 501 rumen microbial genomes—before Hungate1000, just 15 rumen microbial genomes were available to the scientific community.