Wes Warren, PhD, presented on the next steps toward precision medicine for pets as part of HudsonAlpha’s seminar series. Warren is part of the team from the Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri.
Warren described how our understanding of domestication, specifically of cats and dogs, has continued to develop all the way through the present. Domestication presents a series of genetic questions both in regards to the genetic mechanisms involved and the resulting traits.
Solving the mysteries of domestication requires more in-depth study of the genomes of domesticated animals. There are other benefits to collecting wide swaths genetic data on pets. For example, building reference genomes for cats and dogs creates an opportunity for understanding specific mutations that lead to health issues. Once those genetic targets have been identified, scientists can also work to target them with precision medicine.
This seminar was hosted by Greg Barsh, MD, PhD.
More information on HudsonAlpha Research Seminars, including the upcoming schedule, can be found at hudsonalpha.org/seminars.