In May, leaders in cat and dog genetics from throughout the world gathered, as they do every other year, in the historic Swiss city of Bern Switzerland for the 10th Canine & Feline Genetics and Genomics Conference. TICA, Nestle Purina, and a host of genetics companies sponsored the dynamic event that offered groundbreaking new information on HCM, coat color, cancers and the very origin of domestic cats.
Over the course of three days, more than three dozen presentations of new- and ongoing research in the categories of Genome Biology, Population History, Cancer, Evolution, Behavior, Ophthalmology, Mendelian traits, Coat color and Metabolism. Chris Kaelin, PhD, senior scientist at Stanford University and the Hudson Alpha Institute presented findings from his nearly decade long collaboration with Bengal Cat breeders. Analysis of the genomes of hundreds of Bengal Cats allowed Dr. Kaelin, together with his colleagues Kelly McGowan, PhD, Anthony Hutcherson, Hermie Manuel and Greg Barsh, PhD to make new discoveries.
Wisdom Health and TICA partnered to present initial findings from the “State of the Cat” study, encompassing the genetic analysis of more than 1,000 TICA registered cats. This research provided insight into genetic heterozygosity and allelic frequency of traits and diseases across many breeds. The primary investigator, Katie Lytle, DVM offered, “Utilizing science and technology to augment the abilities of cat enthusiasts to preserve and maintain healthy breeds is a core mission of Wisdom Health”.
Resources from Wisdom Health, TICA, and the TIFF Jean Mill Feline Enthusiast Scholarship allowed poster co-author and TICA Allbreed judge Adriana Kajon, PhD and Anthony Hutcherson so share in the excitement of the posters presentation at the conference. View the poster.
The next conference will be held in 2021 in Huntsville, Alabama hosted by the Hudson Alpha Institute.
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