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1614: Development of a DNA-Based Diagnostic Test for Craniomandibular Osteopathy of the Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and Scottish Terrier Breeds

Grant Status: Closed

Grant Amount: $60,000

Dr. Patrick Venta, PhD, Michigan State University

September 25, 1998 - September 24, 2000

Sponsor(s): Scottish Terrier Club of America, The Foundation of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, Westie Foundation of America, Inc.

Breed(s): Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier

Disease(s): Craniomandibular Osteopathy

Project Summary

This project found that the canine version of two candidate genes known to be responsible for similar diseases in humans do not appear to be responsible for Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO) in Terriers. CMO is a painful, non-cancerous proliferation of the bone, primarily around the jaw, that lasts for a year, starting at the age of six weeks to six months. After ruling out the candidate genes, researchers started to scan the entire canine genome, looking for the causative gene for the disease. So far they have examined about 30 percent of the genome and have yet to find the gene, though the research continues. As part of this study, researchers discovered an improved approach to whole genome scans that will benefit all genetic researchers.