RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
Professor Rory Todhunter, head of the medical genetics program and founder of the DNA Bank, and Natalia Andrade '10 perform an orthopedic exam on Ben. See larger image
Donor's $10 million gift will unleash canine genomics program in Vet College
The College of Veterinary Medicine will soon become home to the world's first endowed canine genomics program, thanks to a gift of $10 million from an anonymous donor.
As the largest single gift in the college's history, it will support investments in three areas: endowed professorships and faculty startups, DNA sequencing, and the DNA Bank, which is an archive of DNA and medical information that defines inherited diseases in dogs.
"To have a university leader step forward with a gift of such magnitude and purpose is an extraordinary statement of support," President David Skorton said in announcing the gift. "At Cornell and throughout higher education, resources to invest in faculty and new programs are scarce, which makes this gift all the more meaningful."
Research conducted through the program will further scientists' understanding of and ability to fight cancer and other diseases that attack animals and humans.
"The intersection of human and animal health is central to the fundamental understanding of the biological basis of disease," said Michael I. Kotlikoff, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. "This inspiring gift will have an enormous impact on both canine and human health, particularly through advancing the understanding of the way that our genetic makeup controls cancer susceptibility."
"Canine genomics involves the use of any genetic tool such as markers, mutation or tissue expression data at the molecular level," explained Professor Rory Todhunter, head of the medical genetics program and founder of the DNA Bank. "In our case, it means using all of those tools to uncover the basis of inherited diseases in dogs, and using genetics to diagnose and predict a dog's susceptibility to disease."
Faculty, alumni and stakeholders of the College of Veterinary Medicine identified the advancement of translational research – translating scientific discoveries into practical applications – as a strategic priority for the college in 2009. The initial investment from the gift will be used to conduct a national search for a tenure-track senior faculty member in statistical genomics to propel the canine genomics effort.
"Many of the diseases dogs are carrying are multigenic, meaning multiple genes are affected. We have the tools … to look at their genomes, to look at the genetic differences between dogs," said John Schimenti, professor of genetics. "The big challenge comes from looking at all that genetic information and asking, 'Where in this huge genome are the specific genes and alterations that are responsible for the disease?' The answer is not straightforward; this requires a lot of statistical analysis."
Once the search for a biostatistician is complete, the college will begin recruiting for a second faculty position in cancer biology.
"With this gift, we will leverage the information embedded in canine genetics – available after hundreds of years of selective breeding – for the benefit of animals and humans," said Kotlikoff. "We know that each breed possesses a unique and highly similar collection of genes, which confer susceptibility to certain diseases and constitute a stunning opportunity for gene association studies that cannot be performed in people. These investigations can be done noninvasively in dogs and will inform our understanding of the specific genes that result in susceptibility to some of our most serious diseases."
