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.
The attendees collectively listed Beagles, Bedlington Terriers, Clumber and Field Spaniels, Gordon and Irish Setters, Italian Spinone, Lancashire Heelers, Large Munsterlanders, Norwich Terriers, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Standard Poodles and Welsh Springer Spaniels as the breeds they were involved with.
Cathryn started the day with a short talk about the CGC’s DNA sample collection, a topic she has recorded a presentation about previously. She explained that the collection contains >42,000 DNA samples from >200 different breeds and is the bedrock underlying all the CGC’s current research projects. She also explained the CGC’s regular giving scheme, Friends of the CGC, and how by joining the scheme people could directly support the upkeep and development of the DNA sample collection. And how well everyone responded! Over the course of the day ten people joined the scheme, and others chose to make generous donations to the CGC.
One of the incentives for becoming a Friend of the CGC is the opportunity to nominate someone for the Friends of the CGC Canine Health Award which is sponsored by Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT). This year’s winner was Kathryne Wrigley, who was nominated by no fewer than six separate Friends, all of them citing her tireless efforts as Breed health Co-ordinator for Gordon Setters alongside her job as a veterinary nurse as to why she was the very worthy winner of the inaugural award. Kathryne has worked closely with the CGC for many years, and it was an absolute joy to present her with her trophy, and to thank her personally for all the work she does on behalf of dogs.
The day ended at about 4pm, with people heading home to think about what they had learned, and many to prepare reports for their respective Breed Clubs.
The CGC team would like to thank everyone who purchased a ticket to attend the day; we know that many people travelled a long way, and we appreciated your engagement, enthusiasm and the opportunity to share our research with so many people who so clearly have the interests of dogs at heart.
