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Juha Kantanen Knows the Genes of Northern Survivors

Date: 2021.11.12

Research on farm animal genes has taken research professor Juha Kantanen around the Northern Hemisphere from Finland to Siberia, China and Tibet. This journey has also led deeper into the history of domestic animals. Precise data and new information about their evolution have given us a better understanding of the adaptations that made these animals the partner which helped humans to survive the harsh conditions of the north.

Nordic mountain cattle are the subject of Kantanen’s research for the cross-disciplinary project “3MC – Nordic Mountain Cattle”, which is led by NordGen. Kantanen is part of a research team consisting of archaeologists, cultural researchers, geneticists, and game developers working together to gather and disseminate knowledge about the common origins and cultural heritage of the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish mountain cattle breeds. The aim is to raise awareness for a more sustainable use of the now threatened breeds that are at risk of being outcompeted by more commercial breeds.

Kantanen’s career choice is no coincidence. His work has been strongly influenced by his own Karelian family background and especially his grandmother’s memories of the Karelian culture, which intertwined with Eastern Finncattle, but was wiped away and lost in the war.

“Eastern Finncattle is the symbol of Karelia, the breed that I have been concerned about throughout my research career. When I was working on my dissertation, I also organized the conservation of the Eastern and Northern Finncattle. That is probably what people remember me for. However, I have studied a wide variety of different animals and I intend to continue on that road” Kantanen explained.

Kantanen’s dissertation revealed the relationship between Eastern Finncattle and the cows brought to Iceland by the Vikings. Since then, work has taken the scientist to the coldest regions of the world to study the genes on which Yakutia cattle, horses and reindeer survive in extreme conditions.

In reindeer genome studies, Kantanen’s research group is close to the top of the world.

Old Bones Reveal New Information

In the 3MC project, Kantanen and his colleagues focus on cattle bones found in archaeological excavations and the ancient DNA obtained from them. The aim is not just to study genes, but to combine them with what is already known of the history of the northern regions.

In the 3MC project, Kantanen uses the methods of archaeological genetics. Previously, the method has helped him to follow the genes of Finnish domestic animals far to the Iron Age.

Now ancient DNA is bringing new information about all northern cattle breeds. In collaboration with archaeological osteologist Auli Bläuer, Kantanen compares the DNA of ancient cattle with the current Northern Finncattle, Swedish fjällko and Norwegian STN cattle.

“Ancient domestic animals can tell a lot about history and the life of human society that we would not otherwise know about. I wonder if ancient DNA analysis would bring up new issues related to the population or culture of the North. I hope that our cattle research will provide information that can be used to connect cattle to historically significant events” Kantanen said.

Genes open a window into the past

Building an entire genome from fragile pieces of ancient DNA can reveal many details about ancient cattle. The color of the animals is revealed by the genes, and it is possible that these animals have not always been white.

“We can also analyze which genes have been the subject of selection, how man and nature have shaped these breeds. We get more information about how clear the relationship is with the modern cattle, in other words, whether the current animals are descended from a long history in this area or whether the cattle may have changed at some point”, Kantanen pondered.

Cooperation across borders

As a geneticist, Kantanen knows that all three northern white cattle breeds descend from the same origin. They are of the same genotype and phenotype, ie their genes and appearance are similar.
– The phenotype is important because it is related to the cultural-historical value of these animals. All breeds can be used in the conservation of the northern cultural heritage. Therefore, it is worth cooperating across borders, and that is one of the goals of the 3MC project, Kantanen said.

The project is funded with a grant from EU, Interreg Nord and Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten 2019-2022 and has 5 Nordic partners. NordGen is the coordinator for the project as well as responsible for investigating pedigree and population kinship, dissemination of results and implementation of applications. NordGen will also be responsible for establishing the network of preservers.