Thu, 1 December 2011
In this edition of Genome Barks we bring you an interview with Dr. Alison Starr, a scientific investigator at the Clemson Canine Genetics Research Group, which studies hereditary diseases in the domestic dog. Dr. Starr has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and her current research is focused on the development of genetic tests to help predict and screen for hereditary diseases. In this podcast Dr. Starr discusses her study of Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD), a bone disease that usually affects young, rapidly growing, large breed dogs. Specifically, she is looking at HOD in Irish Setters. Additionally, Dr. Starr discusses her study of Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP), a disease that results in the abnormal deformity of the ball of the hip joint and usually occurs in young miniature and small breeds of dogs. Specifically, she is looking at LCP in West Highland White Terriers and other Terrier breeds. For both HOD and LCP, Dr. Starr is hoping to discover the gene or genes responsible for these diseases so that genetic tests might be developed as a tool for producing better and healthier dogs. This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust. |