The Canine Genetics Centre has worked closely with many breeds over the years, to investigate inherited disorders that represent a challenge to their health. In the next of our series, we focus on the Gordon Setter, a breed that the CGC started to work alongside over 15 years ago, when a new and emerging form of late onset progressive retinal atrophy first became apparent in this breed. Continue reading
April 25th is National DNA Day and commemorates the day in 1953 when James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins and co-workers published the structure of DNA in the journal Nature. Continue reading
The trustees of the Jean Lanning Foundation are delighted to announce a major grant to the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) at Cambridge University to fund exciting new research.
Dr Cathryn Mellersh has linked up with Dr Alex Cagan to collaborate on a joint proposal entitled “Decoding health: The Domestic Dog as a Model for Understanding Human Disease.” Continue reading
The Canine Genetics Centre has a successful track record investigating the genetic basis of inherited eye diseases in dogs. However, some eye diseases have been more challenging to investigate than others, and cataracts have been no exception. Many breeds are predisposed to develop inherited forms of cataracts, but their inheritance is generally more complex than for other eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy, so identifying underlying genetic risk factors is harder. Continue reading
In 2010 we published our findings from a collaborative research project with our colleagues at the University of Missouri, into primary lens luxation (PLL) in Lancashire Heelers, Miniature Bull and Jack Russell Terriers. The causative variant for the condition was found to be a single nucleotide variant (SNV) in the ADAMTS17 gene. Further research found the variant to segregate in a number of additional dog breeds. Continue reading
As part of our CGC Friends scheme, we launched a special yearly award, sponsored by Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT) – the Friends of the CGC Health and Welfare Award. All friends can nominate anybody that they know personally, or know of, that makes a positive impact on the health and/or welfare of dogs. This year’s winner was announced at our recent Research Day as Kathryne Wrigley. Continue reading
On Friday March 21st, 2025, the Canine Genetics Centre team welcomed thirty enthusiastic delegates to the University of Cambridge’s West Hub building for their second Research Day.
Over the course of the day the delegates were treated to talks on the CGC’s inherited eye disease, idiopathic epilepsy and intervertebral disc disease research and how the CGC investigates new and emerging diseases. The talks were well received, with everyone asking lots of questions and really engaging with the researchers about the work that the CGC does. Continue reading
In this week’s feature, we talk to Jim Johnson, Idiopathic Epilepsy Study Coordinator at the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC). Jim joined the team over three years ago, not long after its move to the University of Cambridge. Working closely with Dr Sally Ricketts and Dr Chris Jenkins in the idiopathic epilepsy team, Jim liaises with dog owners, breeders, and vets to encourage participation in epilepsy research. We spoke to Jim about his work and how his Border Collie, Nell, ensures he never sits still for long. Continue reading
We have recently published our preliminary genetic investigation of idiopathic epilepsy in the Italian Spinone breed in the peer-reviewed, open access journal, PLOS One.
Jenkins CA, De Risio L, Lophatananon A, Lewis TW, Foster D, Johnson J, Lohi H, Mellersh CS, Ricketts SL. Genome-wide association study of idiopathic epilepsy in the Italian Spinone dog breed. PLoS One. 2025 Mar 5;20(3):e0315546. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315546.
At the beginning of March 2025 the Canine Genetics Centre launched a genetic test for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in Keeshonds. The research underpinning the new test was achieved in collaboration with Professor Claire Wade (University of Sydney), Professor Kerstin Lindblad-Toh (Uppsala University and the Broad Institute), Dr Barbara Skelly (University of Cambridge) and dedicated members of the Keeshond community, without whom the work would not have been possible. The journey to develop a DNA test for PHPT started way back in 2000, with a special dog called Anni, and in for month’s spotlight article Anni’s owner and breeder, Jane Saunders, very kindly tells the story in her own words: Continue reading
