The genetics and bioenergetics of mitochondrial metabolism and its association with the processes of ageing is one of Professor Bill Ballard's research strengths.
Disease Gene Identification in Dogs
Dogs suffer from genetic diseases because of inbreeding within each breed. Identifying these gene defects helps breeders eliminate problems, and provides models for human diseases. Disease gene mapping can be carried out using SNP arrays to type 50,000 SNPs combined with microsatellite analysis in pedigrees. Sequencing of candidate genes in the mapped region is then required to identify the mutation.
Humans are a good model for dog disease genetics and provide many candidates. The disease currently under study is an ataxia in kelpies which has been mapped to a 6 Mb region of the dog genome. We are developing a DNA test for carriers of the disease so it can be eliminated from the breed.
Reference: Shearman, JS, Lau VM, Wilton AN. Elimination of SETX, SYNE1 and ATCAY as the cause of cerebellar abiotrophy in Australian Kelpies. Animal Genetics 2008Galibert F, Wilton AN and Chuat J-C. Canine model in medical genetics. In The Genetics of the Dog. A Ruvinsky and J Sampson eds. CABI Publishing, Wallington, pp505-520, 2001.
BABS personnel that are responsible for this project