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A Message from the Dean
Investigators in the CCMG have been at the forefront of genetic disease research for more than three decades. They have made substantial contributions to the diagnosis and control of genetic diseases within animal populations, and to the understanding and treatment of genetic disease using the animal homologues as models for research in areas such as gene therapy. More than 50 new animal homologues of human genetic diseases in various species have been discovered by the CCMG. In recent years, the group has developed a number of DNA tests to detect affected and carrier animals for a variety of genetic diseases in the dog and cat. Such tests enable breeders to select away from affected and carrier animals, reducing, and eventually eliminating, certain genetic diseases. Through the sequencing of the canine genome, completion of which is expected in 2004, much new information will become available. Knowledge of the genes present in the canine genome will allow researchers to describe genetic variations between breeds of dogs, to understand the genetic basis for the behavioral characteristics of specific breeds, to look for changes in gene expression when disease occurs, and identify metabolic pathways in normal and disease state. The latter may lead to new treatments. It will eventually allow for the examination of all the genes of one individual simultaneously, for one or more mutations. Further, it will allow for comparison between the canine genome and the human genome, to identify similar disease-causing genes. Completion of the human genome project is changing the face of medicine and will continue to do so for years to come. The canine genome project will have a similar effect in veterinary medicine and the Walter Flato Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics will play an important part in using these new tools for combating and preventing genetic and other diseases in animals and humans. As a measure of the importance the Medical School attaches to advances in canine genetics, Dr. Arthur Rubenstein, dean of the Medical School, and I shall jointly sponsor a workshop on the topic in December. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the veterinary and medical school deans have worked together in this way and it is a healthy sign of the increasingly collaborative direction of biomedical research. Alan M. Kelly |
Recently, we named the Walter Flato Goodman Center for Comparative Medical Genetics (CCMG) in honor of Walter F. Goodman, a renowned breeder, exhibitor, and judge of Skye terriers (see