New Study Sheds Light on Sheep Gene Regulation

Research could help livestock breeders improve animal health and quality

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:15am

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A new study led by researchers at Washington State University has provided a detailed map of gene regulatory elements in the sheep genome. The findings could help livestock breeders select for beneficial traits like efficient food digestion or muscle development, while avoiding traits associated with disease. The study is the first of its kind on sheep and offers a platform for future research across many animal species.

Why it matters

Understanding gene regulation is crucial for livestock breeders looking to improve the health and quality of their animals. This study gives them a clearer picture of how gene expression is modulated, allowing them to make more informed breeding decisions and maximize the return on investment from using genetics to guide their programs.

The details

The study investigated how gene regulation influences different cell types in sheep and ensures those cells remain true to their function. Researchers identified regulatory elements like promoters and enhancers in the sheep's core tissues and main organs, including the heart, liver, lungs, intestines, stomach, and regions of the brain. This provides a detailed map of where gene expression is being modulated in the sheep genome.

  • The study was published in the journal Nature Communications on March 17, 2026.

The players

Kimberly Davenport

An assistant professor in Washington State University's Department of Animal Sciences and a co-author of the study.

Gordon Murdoch

The chair of Washington State University's animal sciences department and a co-author of the study.

Brenda Murdoch

A professor in the University of Idaho's Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences and the corresponding author of the study.

Raj Khosla

The Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of Washington State University's College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

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What they’re saying

“A gene promotor is similar to turning a light switch on or off, while an enhancer is akin to a dimmer switch. The study gives us a clearer picture of what's happening when we're selecting for one trait over another, both genetically and epigenetically. It shows how we can best utilize genetic information to boost the return on investment for producers who use genetics to guide their animal breeding.”

— Kimberly Davenport, Assistant Professor, Washington State University Department of Animal Sciences

“This is one of the biggest and most ambitious livestock experiments relating to gene regulation. It offers a platform to explore future research across many animal species, and it immediately translates a complex understanding of genetics, making it relevant to the producer.”

— Gordon Murdoch, Chair, Washington State University Animal Sciences Department

“We need to characterize gene regulatory regions in genomes for each species so we can understand the mechanisms that affect gene expression. In general, genes function similarly between species, but mutations within gene regulatory regions and genes are species-specific.”

— Brenda Murdoch, Professor, University of Idaho Department of Animal, Veterinary, and Food Sciences

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue exploring gene regulation across different animal species to build on the insights gained from this study on sheep.

The takeaway

This groundbreaking research on gene regulation in sheep provides livestock breeders with a powerful new tool to improve the health, quality, and productivity of their animals through more informed and targeted breeding programs.