Research
We work with pet owners, veterinarians, fellow researchers, and dogs to solve puzzling genetic diseases. This creates a more happy and healthy canine population. We investigate the genomes of companion animals using modern veterinary and laboratory techniques together with the latest computing technologies.
Current Projects
We have a multitude of research projects covering a wide variety of dog breeds:
- Golden Retriever pigmentary uveitis
- Genetics of hemivertebrae and other spinal phenotypes
- Genetic indicators of welfare in dogs
- Genetic causes of bleeding in canine pathology cases
- Allele frequency changes over time (15+ years) for two common genetic eye diseases, Collie Eye Anomaly and PRCD-PRA
- Genetics of vaccine-induced immune response in dogs
- A dilution coat color phenotype in Boxers
- The second non-HSF4 genetic cause of cataracts in Miniature American Shepherds
- Webbed feet (fact or myth?) in dogs
Past Successes
- Glycogen storage disease in Basset Hounds (genetic test available soon through the
Indiana ADDL)
- Ichthyosis in two random-bred kittens (Yes, we do occasionally have cat projects in the Canine Genetics Lab!)
- The first non-HSF4 genetic cause of cataracts in Miniature American Shepherds (genetic test available soon through the Indiana ADDL)
- Three forms of hypomyelinating polyneuropathy in Golden Retrievers
- Dwarfism in Great Pyrenees (collaborative work with the University of Minnesota’s Canine Genetics Lab)
- Neuroaxonaly dystrophy, a slowly-progressive neurodegenerative disease in Miniature American Shepherds (genetic test available soon through the Indiana ADDL)