Rumen-centric multi-omics of two beef cattle breeds
A comprehensive multi-omic analysis of a controlled experiment of 24 beef cattle representing two different breeds (Aberdeen Angus cross and Luing) using long-read metagenomics, (meta)transcriptomics, (meta)proteomics, and targeted and untargeted metabolomics. Sample types included rumen microbiome, rumen wall, and liver samples. These in-depth measurements were complemented by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of rumen samples from 47 additional animals. The comparisons revealed two distinct rumen microbial community types that surprisingly were not strongly associated with breed or any animal performance trait, but linked to protozoal activity based on metatranscriptomic and metaproteomic data.