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Dr. Nathan Sutter's laboratory searches for and studies the gene variants that make dogs susceptible to cancer and other diseases. By finding these genes and identifying mutations in them we aim to ultimately improve the health of both dogs and humans.
We are also interested in genes that contribute to differences in body size in the dog. Due to selective breeding over many generations, great Danes and other giant breed dogs are 50 times more massive than Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas. No other mammal species exhibits such size diversity.
We participated in the recently published NIH study that showed that variation at the insulin-like growth factor-1 gene is a major determinant of body size in dogs. The gene's identification was dependent upon, and serves as a model for, the use of multiple dog breeds to narrowly identify gene alleles that contribute to complex traits.
Whole genome association mapping in the dog is just now becoming feasible. An assembled dog genome sequence has been completed and large-scale SNP genotyping resources are newly available. Canine genomics has advanced tremendously with these resources and the pace of discovery is likely to increase further. With these tools in hand we are ready for the first time to tackle the genetic basis of canine health and morphology on a large scale.
We invite you to contribute to these projects with your time, expertise and ideas. We are also accepting blood samples and body measurements from many AKC recognized breeds. A blood sample can be drawn from your dog during a regular veterinary visit. We gratefully accept body measurements from purebred dogs with or without accompanying blood samples. Please contact us to learn more.
There is tremendous variation in body size among breeds of dog.
Photo by Maggie Bartlett (NIH).
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