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Canine gene database to enhance biomedical research
"The DoGA database is expected to have a significant impact on both veterinary and human medicine" - Professor Hannes Lohi.

Resource provides insights for health studies in dogs and humans. 

A new international database, the DoGa atlas, has been created, containing more than 100 different canine tissues to help researchers better understand gene regulation.

Hailed as a significant milestone in genetics research, the DoGA atlas is set to markedly improve understanding of hereditary diseases and provide insights for health research in dogs and humans.

The database is the result of close collaboration between researchers in genomics, veterinary medicine, and computational biology, known as the DoGa Consortium. Together, they collected more than 5,000 samples from wolves and various dog breeds using advanced RNA sequencing techniques.

PhD Matthias Hörtenhuber, one of the leading authors of the article from Karolinska Insitutet, Stockholm, said: "We created a research resource that significantly enhances the use of dogs as a model for human health research, as well as directly for studying canine genetics.

“We demonstrated the potential of the database with several examples for different research purposes, such as comparing changes during embryonic development, the expression of disease genes in various tissues, and the regulation of genes related to behavioral traits.”

The database reveals which genes are active in different parts of the body and when they are activated. This aids researchers in understanding how genes function in various situations and their impact on health and diseases.

It enables researchers to study gene expression in different tissues, and facilitates the prioritisation of hereditary factors linked to diseases – therefore encouraging research between dogs and humans.

Furthermore, the data may also be used to map genes linked to cancer, epilepsy and physciatric disorders.

Professor Hannes Lohi, one of the lead researchers of the study from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine at the University of Helsinki, said: "By improving our understanding of gene regulation in both dogs and wolves, the DoGA database is expected to have a significant impact on both veterinary and human medicine.

“For example, we can investigate how much the brains of dogs and wolves differ from each other. Additionally, the unique genetic history and breed structures of dogs, combined with the new functional gene map, provide an effective framework for studying genetic diseases."

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.