All the A-T-C-A-G for your D-O-G

A collaborative team of international genetic researchers led by a former Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center member recently published the entire genome sequence for dogs. While this research will have a direct impact on treating diseases specifically in dogs, humans serve to benefit from our proverbial best friends as well.

Many may have heard the cocktail-party trivia fact regarding how similar our genetic goulash is to that of mice, but in fact we share even more in common with our canine cohorts. Dr. Elaine Ostrander, who authored the original whitepaper that proposed to undertake mapping the dog genome while working at the Hutch in 2002, has a particular interest in the dog genome as it pertains to cancer. In a summary of the genome mapping work from the National Human Genome Research Institute (where Ostrander is now the Chief of the Cancer Genetics Branch), she describes one benefit of comparative genetics:

The leading causes of death in dogs are a variety of cancers, and many of them are very similar biologically to human cancers. Using the dog genome sequence in combination with the human genome sequence will help researchers to narrow their search for many more of the genetic contributors underlying cancer and other major diseases.

The NHGRI summary goes on to explain that disease detective work within the genome relies on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are small variations within the DNA code. SNPs are useful both for identifying potential sources of disease, and can also act as genetic road markers, enabling researchers to assess genetic changes. By mapping SNPs within the dog genome, they found that despite breeders' attempts to carefully control selective breeding, indivudal breeds still exhibit a high degree of genetic variability. That's something to ponder as you gaze on that LabraDoodle your sweetie gave you for Christmas.