01874-A: Identifying the Genes That Confer Risk for Development of Cataracts
Grant Status: Closed
Grant Amount: $12,960
Margaret R. Wallace, DVM; University of Florida
September 1, 2012 - August 31, 2013
Sponsor(s):
Breed(s): Bichon Frise
Research Program Area: Ophthalmology
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Abstract
The Bichon Frise is a very popular breed, as these dogs are small, friendly, and hypo-allergenic. Bichon Frise have an increased risk of primary cataracts, which occurs bilaterally in adulthood. Since the onset is often after sexual maturity, some dogs initially used for breeding later develop cataracts. In an initial CHF-funded study, Dr. Wallace collected DNA samples from individually-owned dogs who have this cataract, and from some unaffected, related dogs. In this study Dr. Wallace will obtain the sequence all the genes in four of these dogs to identify the mutation responsible for cataract formation. This will lead to a carrier test that will allow breeders to avoid breeding carriers and predict which dogs will develop cataracts.Publication(s)
None at this time.
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