Healthe-barks

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Mark Neff, scientific investigator and Director of program for canine health and performance at the Van Andel Research Institute.  Dr. Neff has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and his current research is focused on neurological and behavioral disorders in the dog. In this podcast Dr. Neff discusses how researchers are learning about the genes responsible for behaviors like pointing and herding and how understanding the principals of the mind can help them understand the intrinsic reward system that motivates dogs to do what they do.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Meg Staton from Clemson University  Dr. Staton works in bioinformatics helping researchers find the causes of genetic disease.  Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Dr. Staton discusses the role of the bioinformaticist in canine health research. This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust.

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Heidi Parker, a staff scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute.  Dr. Parker’s research has included the relatedness of the many different breeds of dogs to one another and investigation of the genetic causes of diseases such as malignant histiocytosis in the Bernese Mountain Dog and traits such as athletic performance in Whippets. In this podcast, Dr. Parker defines morphology; discusses the similarities between the canine and human genomes related to morphology; and provides examples of how morphological changes can affect dogs such as improper coat in the Portuguese Water Dog.

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Elinor Karlsson with the Broad  Institute and the Sebeti Lab at Harvard. Dr. Karlsson has focused her research on the genetic cause of disease, including diseases associated with coat color traits such as ridgelessness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and behavioral traits such as aggression. In this podcast Dr. Karlsson discusses the technique of genome wide mapping; her research on canine compulsive disorder; the discovery of the gene for flank sucking in the Doberman Pinscher; and the implications of her research for human psychiatric disorders. We are grateful to the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust, for their support of the Genome Barks Podcast Series.  

In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you and interview with Dr. Danika Bannasch, a veterinary geneticist with the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.  An expert in genetic research and testing, Dr. Bannasch recently hosted a round table discussion on interpreting genetic test results and how to incorporate those results into a breeding program. In this podcast Dr. Bannasch discusses genetic test basics and how breeders should use genetic tests.

In this podcast we bring you and interview with Dr. Max Rothschild, distinguished professor of agriculture and life sciences and director of the center for integrated animal genomics at the Iowa state University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation primarily for his research in cryptorchidism, Dr. Rothschild’s areas of research interest are gene mapping, reproduction and immunogenetics of swine, new statistical methods to evaluate animals and gene identification in dogs. Dr. Rothschild helps us understand what cryptorchidism is and discusses the health concerns associated with the condition and the developments in his research to find the genetic cause. Furthermore, Dr. Rothschild is doing genetic research on Cranial Cruciate Ligament disease.  He discusses the condition and the status of the research.

In this podcast we bring you and interview with Dr. Sheila Schmutz a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Funded in small part by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Dr. Schmutz’s canine research has focused on coat color genetics.  Dr. Schmutz discusses the challenges of studying coat color, whether diseases are associated with coat color, and gives advice about coat color to those seeking a new puppy.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Gary Stamp, Executive Director of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society.  Dr. Stamp has served as commander of the United States Army Veterinary command until 1999 when he retired from active duty. Dr. Stamp discusses how much first aid training dog owners should have, when emergency veterinary care is necessary, and how to select an emergency service.

In this podcast we bring you and interview with Dr. Ned Patterson, a member of the faculty at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.  Funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation for a variety of genetic disorders and epilepsy, Dr. Patterson’s research interests include epilepsy, comparative medicine, genetics and molecular medicine. Dr. Patterson discusses his research on a treatment for epliepsy in dogs.  He also covers another of his research projects funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, urinary stones composed of calcium oxalate.  These stones can be a problem for any dog, but are far more problematic in Miniature Schnauzers.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Kate Tsai, post doctoral fellow at Clemson University.  Dr. Tsai has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation to study exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and megaesophagus in the German Shepherd Dog.  These diseases have also been found is several other breeds and mix-breed dogs.  She discusses the symptoms of these diseases, what is known about their causes and her research.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Kathryn Meurs.  Dr. Meurs recently relocated her laboratory to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies as well as the director of the NCSU Veterinary Cardiac Genetics & Holter Laboratories  A board certified cardiologist, Dr. Meurs has focused her research efforts on familial heart diseases.  Dr. Meurs has been funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation for subvalvular aortic stenosis in Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers; dilated cardiomyopathy in the Doberman Pincher and Great Dane; and ventricular arrhythmias in the Boxer.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with C.A. Sharp, President of the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute, an organization dedicated to sharing knowledge about the genetics of the breed.  C.A. is also a prolific writer on canine health. In this podcast C.A. discusses the reasons why purebred dogs are good research models; why purebred dogs are helpful to human medicine and to veterinary medicine for all dogs; and the need to participate in research by providing DNA samples.    

In this edition of Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Lorna Kennedy a member of the faculty of the University of Manchester Center for Integrated Genomic Medical Research in the United Kingdom.  Dr. Kennedy has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation for her work in the genetics of hypothyrodism, immune mediated hemolytic anemia, and anal furunculosis. These disease are all associated with changes in an area of the canine genome called the Major Histiocompatability Complex (MHC).  In this podcast, Dr. Kennedy discusses the MHC, autoimmune diseases, her research on these diseases and similarities to human conditions.  

In this edition of Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Jim Mickelson, a member of the faculty at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The primary goal of Dr. Mickelson’s research program is to indentify the molecular basis of inherited neurologic and neuromuscular disorders in domestic animals.  Dr. Mickelson has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation for his research in epilepsy, exercised induced collapse and polyneuropathy. In this podcast Dr. Mickelson discusses his research that resulted in a genetic test for Excercise Induced Collapse in the Labrador Retriever. 

In this edition of Genome Barks, we welcome Mia Olsson a doctoral student at Uppsala University in Sweeden.  Ms. Olsson discusses Shar Pei Fever and her research on the condition. Shar Pei Fever is a recurring fever-like condition that is similar to an auto-inflammatory condition in humans.  Ms. Olsson is part of an international research team from Uppsala University and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard who discovered the gene associated with the condition.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome the 2008 winner of the American Kennel Club ACE Award for Search and Rescue, the Bloodhound Taffy and her handler, Doug Williams.  Lee Arnold, Chairman of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, and Mr. Williams discuss Taffy’s accomplishments, school visits, criminal tracking, and community outreach.

In this podcast, Ron Rella, Director of Project Administration for the American Kennel Club, describes the Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence.  The ACE Awards were put into place in 1999 to recognize the extraordinary interdependence of dogs and people.  Mr. Rella explains the qualifications to be nominated for ACE Awards and the different categories for which awards are made.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, a member of the faculty at Clemson University.  Dr. Clark’s research has focused on canine genetic disease.  In this podcast, we discuss Dr. Clark’s work in dermatomyositis.  Dr. Clark defines the disease, and discusses prevalence, clinical signs, and tips for breeders to help future generations.  Dr. Leigh Anne Clark attended Texas A&M University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2000. She subsequently entered graduate school and joined the Canine Genetics Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Clark's thesis work concerned both the development of microsatellite DNA-based tools and pancreatic acinar atrophy in the German Shepherd Dog. She received a PhD in 2004 and remained in the Canine Genetics Laboratory for her postdoctoral work. Now an Assistant Professor of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University, Dr. Clark's research continues to focus on canine inherited disease.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Catherine Andre’, a CHF-funded researcher and member of the faculty at the University of Rennes in France.  Dr. Andre’ has received funding for her work in malignant histiocytosis in the Bernese Mountain Dog.  Dr. Andre’ describes malignant histiocytosis, breeds at greater risk for this cancer, treatment possibilities, and also her research into ichthyosis in the Golden Retriever and some of her other projects.   Dr. Catherine Andre’ graduated with a PhD in molecular genetics and oncology at the Paris University in 1992. Since 1995 she has worked at the University of Rennes in France (CNRS) on canine genomics and genetics. She manages the canine genetics group at CNRS working on the search for the genetic basis of inherited diseases in canines and humans.

This week on Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Kate Creevy, Assistant Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Georgia with a specialty in small animal medicine and infections disease.  Dr. Creevy discusses the myths of vaccinations and infectious disease, susceptibility to vaccination reactions, regular vaccination schedules and the canine flu vaccine.   Dr. Creevy grew up in and around Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Georgetown University for her undergraduate education.  She earned her DVM from the University of Tennessee in 1998, and completed a rotating small animal internship at the University of Minnesota. She spent the next four years in private practice, initially in a small animal and exotics emergency-only practice in the Twin Cities, and then at Friendship Hospital for Animals, the only 24-hour general and specialty practice in Washington, DC.  She joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 2003 as an emergency medicine clinician, and subsequently completed both her resid