Lots Happening In Gene Research.

[shortstep]

Was speaking with several friends over the past few days and heard about several area of research which appear to now be moving in a very positive direction.

One is in the gene identification of Adult Onset Deafness in border collies, an area of likely cause has been found. More works needs to be done, but things are looking hopeful.

Research working on locating a gene for noise phobia is also making headway, they now have a potential candidate gene. If I understand correctly this would be for all ( or many) breeds.

Breed genetic stratification research had located possible genetic evidence of a breed split, work is now underway to refine and clarify this information and it's possible implications. This is important for future gene research, as breed split groups could be significantly different enough to each other that it could mislead research. This might assist in more accurate selection of which dogs to study and also possible differences with in a population such as a diseases in one population and not the other. Other areas that might be of interest could include breed identification confusion, health screening/testing on different groups with in groups in a breed and the uses of cross breedings between groups or even neighboring breeds.

The 3 above are mentioned in this news letter, but this is several months old now, sorry could not find anything more current. (also a nice graphic of breed stratification). The ABCA (American Border Collie Association) news letter for January is where I read the most recent news but that is not available on line.

http://www.piedmontbordercollie.com/ClubIn...ANewsletter.pdf

More locally Sydney Uni is working on deafness in Dals and also believe they may now have an area of interest, but lots more work to do. Hopefully we will get more good news in the next few years as their work continues. Perhaps some Dal owners can add to this news?

There is a new method of looking for mutations which is now available, so I think we will continue to hear about more break throughs in gene locations.

On a sad note, there was some recent work done in epilepsy (using this new method) and nothing of significance was found. They did point out that this does not mean that Epilepsy may not be genetic, it does however further indicate that it is going to be a disease that has many contributing factors, some of which may be more along the lines of traits rather than mutated genes.

Edited January 23, 2011 by shortstep