Bioinformatics

In this edition of Genome Barks, we bring you an interview with Dr. Meg Staton from Clemson University. Dr. Staton works in bioinformatics helping researchers find the causes of genetic disease. Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. In this podcast Dr. Staton discusses the role of the bioinformaticist in successful canine health research.

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

Morphology

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Heidi Parker, a staff scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute. Dr. Parker’s research has included the relatedness of the many different breeds of dogs to one another and investigation of the genetic causes of diseases such as malignant histiocytosis in the Bernese Mountain Dog and traits such as athletic performance in Whippets. In this podcast, Dr. Parker defines morphology; discusses the similarities between the canine and human genomes related to morphology; and provides examples of how morphological changes can affect dogs such as improper coat in the Portuguese Water Dog.

We are grateful to the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust, for their support of the Genome Barks Podcast Series.

Canine Compulsive Disorder

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Elinor Karlsson with the Broad Institute and the Sebeti Lab at Harvard. Dr. Karlsson has focused her research on the genetic cause of disease, including diseases associated with coat color traits such as ridgelessness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and behavioral traits such as aggression. In this podcast Dr. Karlsson discusses the technique of genome wide mapping; her research on canine compulsive disorder; the discovery of the gene for flank sucking in the Doberman Pinscher; and the implications of her research for human psychiatric disorders.

The Basics of Genetic Testing

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Danika Bannasch, a veterinary geneticist with the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. An expert in genetic research and testing, Dr. Bannasch recently hosted a round table discussion on interpreting genetic test results and how to incorporate those results into a breeding program. In this podcast she discusses genetic test basics and how breeders should use genetic tests.

Cryptorchidism and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease

In this podcast we bring you and interview with Dr. Max Rothschild, distinguished professor of agriculture and life sciences and director of the center for integrated animal genomics at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation primarily for his research in cryptorchidism, Dr. Rothschild’s areas of research interest are gene mapping, reproduction and immunogenetics of swine, new statistical methods to evaluate animals and gene identification in dogs. Dr. Rothschild helps us understand what cryptorchidism is and discusses the health concerns associated with the condition and the developments in his research to find the genetic cause. Furthermore, Dr. Rothschild is doing genetic research on Cranial Cruciate Ligament disease. He discusses the condition and the status of the research.

Coat Color

In this podcast we bring you and interview with Dr. Sheila Schmutz a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Funded in small part by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Schmutz’s canine research has focused on coat color genetics. Dr. Schmutz discusses the challenges of studying coat color, whether diseases are associated with coat color, and gives advice about coat color to those seeking a new puppy.

Emergency and Critical Care

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Gary Stamp, Executive Director of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Dr. Stamp has served as commander of the United States Army Veterinary command until 1999 when he retired from active duty. Dr. Stamp discusses how much first aid training dog owners should have, when emergency veterinary care is necessary, and how to select an emergency service.

Epilepsy and Oxalate Stones

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Ned Patterson, a member of the faculty at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation for a variety of genetic disorders and epilepsy, Dr. Patterson’s research interests include epilepsy, comparative medicine, genetics and molecular medicine. Dr. Patterson discusses his research on a treatment for epliepsy in dogs. He also covers another of his research projects funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, urinary stones composed of calcium oxalate. These stones can be a problem for any dog, but are far more problematic in Miniature Schnauzers.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and Megaesophagus

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Kate Tsai, post doctoral fellow at Clemson University. Dr. Tsai has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation to study exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and megaesophagus in the German Shepherd Dog. These diseases have also been found is several other breeds and mix-breed dogs. She discusses the symptoms of these diseases, what is known about their causes and her research.

Familial Heart Disease

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Kathryn Meurs. Dr. Meurs recently relocated her laboratory to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies as well as the director of the NCSU Veterinary Cardiac Genetics & Holter Laboratories A board certified cardiologist, Dr. Meurs has focused her research efforts on familial heart diseases. Dr. Meurs has been funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation for subvalvular aortic stenosis in Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers; dilated cardiomyopathy in the Doberman Pincher and Great Dane; and ventricular arrhythmias in the Boxer.