The Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) is excited to announce the launch of a new DNA test, for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in the English Shepherd Dog, a breed that has shared ancestry with the Border Collie, the Rough Collie and the Australian Shepherd. Continue reading
News
Introducing Bruno Lopes – PhD student based in the Canine Genetics Centre
We would like to introduce you to Bruno Lopes. Bruno is a veterinary neurologist, from Southfields Veterinary Specialists, who has recently started studying for a PhD on a part-time basis at Cambridge University Vet School. Bruno, who will be based within the Canine Genetics Centre, will be investigating the genetics of intervertebral disc diseases in several breeds of dog, the aim being to improve our understanding of the genetics of this complex, debilitating disease that affects some of the UK’s most popular breeds. Continue reading
Update on Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Keeshonds
We are still trying to identify the genetic change that causes Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in the Keeshond. It is proving to be much more challenging than initially anticipated, which may explain, at least in part, why the original research was never completed and published.
As part of the original Give a Dog a Genome project, we used short-read based Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to sequence a PHPT case and an epilepsy case (as a PHPT control). We have sequenced a further case and a progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) case as a control, giving us two cases and two controls. These data have enabled us to independently identify the chromosome that harbours the causative genetic mutation for PHPT, however we have been unable to precise variant.
We have recently been awarded a small grant from CamVet to undertake long-read sequencing of the candidate region in an attempt to identify additional variants. Preliminary data suggests that the region of interest is highly structurally complex and very difficult to interrogate, but sequencing and data analysis is ongoing.
Update from Crufts 2024
The Canine Genetics and Canine Genetics Testing teams shared a stand for a busy four days at Crufts 2024.
We would like to thank everyone who came and visited us to ask about genetic testing, to make donations to our appeal and to wish us well. It was fantastic to meet in person so many people who have donated to help support the CGC, from the UK and form further afield – we think California was the furthest that anyone had travelled! Continue reading
Fund Our Future Appeal Update
Most of our readers will know that the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) is facing a significant funding gap, and is appealing to dog owners, breeders and enthusiasts to help us plug the gap until longer-term funding can be secured. Continue reading
Epilepsy programme update
Alongside our current genetic investigations of idiopathic epilepsy in the Border Collie and Italian Spinone, we are embarking on an exciting new study starting this year to investigate the genetics of epilepsy in five new breeds – the Beagle, English Springer Spaniel, Giant Schnauzer, Hungarian Vizsla and Irish Setter. Continue reading
Funding Update
The canine genetics team would like to express their profound gratitude for all the supportive messages that we have received since Cathryn’s presentation last week. It has been very heartwarming to hear how much our work is appreciated, all around the world, and what a difference we have made to so many breeds. Continue reading
Funding Our Future Presentation
It has been my privilege to work in the field of canine genetics since 1991, and to have headed the Kennel Club Genetics Centre since its foundation in 2009. During that time, this research space has evolved considerably; my first role was to identify some of the very first genetic markers within the canine genome – today we can sequence the whole genome of any dog for less than the price of an average puppy.
Mutation responsible for multiocular defect in the Old English Sheepdog identified
In 2017, as part of the Give a Dog a Genome project, we sequenced the genome of an Old English Sheepdog (OES) that had been diagnosed with hereditary cataracts under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. This was the start of a project that turned out to be a lot more complex than we initially thought it would be, and that was disrupted by both covid and our move from the Animal Health Trust to the University of Cambridge, but that we finally concluded at the end of last year. Continue reading
Canine Genetics Research Day
The Kennel Club Genetics Centre (KCGC) held a first Research Day on Friday 22 September 2023 at the University of Cambridge’s West Hub facility. It was the first such day we have hosted since the demise of the Animal Health Trust and subsequently joining the University of Cambridge in 2021.
The event was attended by 44 representatives of 29 breeds. Thank you to each of you you made the journey to Cambridge to see us. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
