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Cats Are Finally Getting Geneticists' Attention
January 15, 2015 ^ | January 15, 2015 | Carl Engelking

Posted on 01/24/2015 3:27:14 PM PST by SunkenCiv

Consumer doggie DNA testing is old hat at this point, having been around since 2007. But cat-lovers who wish to decipher their pet's breed are out of luck -- no such tests exist for felines.

That fact reflects the state of the underlying science. Since the first full dog genome was sequenced ten years ago, geneticists have identified hundreds of genes behind canine diseases and physical traits. By comparison, just a handful of such genes have been identified in cats.

But a group of geneticists is working to close this gap by sequencing 99 domestic cats. This week the researchers unveiled the first results from their "99 Lives" initiative.

...humans could also be beneficiaries of the research. According to Nature, "Cat versions of type 2 diabetes, asthma, retinal atrophy and numerous other conditions have close similarities to human disease. Cats can also become infected with a virus that is closely related to HIV and experience symptoms similar to those of people with AIDS."

To date, Lyons' team has sequenced the genomes of 56 cats at a cost of roughly $7,500 apiece. Funding for the research has been raised through donations from breeders and private owners alike. Currently, her team is studying the genetic basis of feline dwarfism and the genes that give cats silver or gold coats, to name a few.

You can help further cat genome researcher through donations, or collecting DNA samples from your own feline friends. You can learn how to participate by visiting Lyons' website.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.discovermagazine.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: 99lives; agriculture; animalhusbandry; asthma; cat; cats; diabetes; felineaids; feliscattus; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; huntergatherers; kittyping; retinalatrophy; vikingkitties
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Cats Are Finally Getting Geneticists' Attention

Cats Are Finally Getting Geneticists' Attention

1 posted on 01/24/2015 3:27:14 PM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; decimon; 1010RD; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; ...

Figures the scientist's last name is Lyons.
Cats Are Finally Getting Geneticists' Attention

2 posted on 01/24/2015 3:29:24 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: AdmSmith; agrace; AnalogReigns; Cacique; caryatid; Celtjew Libertarian; CobaltBlue; ...
Genetic
Genealogy
>> PING <<
Send FReepmail if you want on/off GGP list
GG LINKS:
African Ancestry
DNAPrint Genomics
FamilyTree DNA
GeneTree
Int'l Society of Genetic Genealogy
mitosearch
Nat'l Geographic Genographic Project
Oxford Ancestors
RelativeGenetics
Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation
Trace Genetics
ybase
ysearch
The List of Ping Lists

3 posted on 01/24/2015 3:35:35 PM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: SunkenCiv

And now we’ll get designer cats? NOT OK with me.


4 posted on 01/24/2015 3:35:53 PM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: Veto!

Would you be interested in a big cat?

A domestic cat that grows larger due to additional growth associated genes that would have the same temperament as any domestic cat?


5 posted on 01/24/2015 3:39:55 PM PST by ifinnegan
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To: Veto!

http://www.google.com/images?q=designer+cats&sa=X&oi=image_result_group


6 posted on 01/24/2015 3:40:15 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

This research is Ceiling Cat approved!


But will they ever be able to capture and study the elusive and cunning ninja cat?


7 posted on 01/24/2015 3:40:42 PM PST by Jack Hydrazine (Pubbies = national collectivists; Dems = international collectivists; We need a second party!)
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To: martin_fierro
very very funny, Martin. 😆
8 posted on 01/24/2015 3:48:16 PM PST by skinkinthegrass ("Bathhouse" E'Bola/0'Boehmer/0'McConnell; all STINK and their best friends are flies. d8^)
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To: SunkenCiv
All right, already. A designer's cat is fine with me.

I never though that I'd fall in love like this... but I would marry my cat if I could, says Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion designer's pet has an iPad, two maids and dines at his table

Here's "Choupette" with her slice of wedding cake:

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2335789/I-Id-fall-love-like--I-marry-cat-I-says-Karl-Lagerfeld-Fashion-designers-pet-iPad-maids-dines-table.html

9 posted on 01/24/2015 3:52:27 PM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: SunkenCiv

Ha ha.


10 posted on 01/24/2015 3:55:15 PM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: Slings and Arrows

Kitteh Ping


11 posted on 01/24/2015 3:56:13 PM PST by Rodamala
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To: ifinnegan

Nah—big cats would just eat, poop, and scare people more.

Their tidy size is a feature.


12 posted on 01/24/2015 3:56:25 PM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: SunkenCiv

Ve vant only blue-eyed Arian cats to reproduce.

13 posted on 01/24/2015 4:05:04 PM PST by Slyfox (To put on the mind of George Washington read ALL of Deuteronomy 28, then read his Farewell Address)
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To: 9YearLurker

Interesting.

I personally would love to have a cat as big as a lab.


14 posted on 01/24/2015 4:09:22 PM PST by ifinnegan
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To: ifinnegan

I’ve got one who’s 15 pounds—and that’s plenty for all the lap sitting, shoulder riding, etc. He’s tall, too, so it’s kind of fun that I can stretch my arm down while I’m standing to pat him like a dog.


15 posted on 01/24/2015 4:11:23 PM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: SunkenCiv
You can help further cat genome researcher through donations, or collecting DNA samples from your own feline friends.

My cat does not wish to participate..........But don't feel put off, she doesn't wish to participate in anything other than eat and sleep time......

16 posted on 01/24/2015 4:14:09 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Man of "non-color" and proud of it)
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To: Slyfox
Deviant Art

17 posted on 01/24/2015 4:19:26 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Rodamala; beaversmom; Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; ...

18 posted on 01/24/2015 4:59:32 PM PST by Slings and Arrows ("Ragnarok" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L5nD7-qsEw)
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To: SunkenCiv

Tell me a lot that my cat is pain in the a*** I still love him LOL!


19 posted on 01/24/2015 5:01:28 PM PST by SevenofNine (We are Freepers, all your media bases belong to us ,resistance is futile)
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To: SunkenCiv
Take blood samples from your cat, eh?

Good recipe for having your kitteh get some samples from you at the same time!

20 posted on 01/24/2015 5:03:17 PM PST by doorgunner69
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