Researchers say they have taken a major step towards understanding how sheep’s genetic information influences its physical traits.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute have been looking at genetic material called RNA, which is produced as an intermediate step when DNA code is translated into the proteins and molecules that make up cells and tissues.

Their findings shed light on the function of hundreds of genes whose role was previously unknown. They hope their online database of the results will help to further understanding of sheep’s genetic make-up.

Dr Emily Clark, who coordinated the project, said: “The new resource represents a major step towards understanding how the sheep’s genetic information influences its physical traits, and provides a foundation to use this information to generate sustainable improvements in the productivity of livestock animals.”