EMRO Assisting in Research
EMRO is working in collaboration on a feline genetics study with
a feline geneticist, Dr. Leslie Lyons, Associate Professor, School
of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California,
USA.
As one of their projects, the UCDavis feline genome research group
is examining the domestication of the cat and how cat breeds relate
to their supposed populations and lands of origin through DNA samples.
They are also planning a project with an Egyptologist in Utah for
looking at the DNA of mummified cats. They hope to potentially show
a relationship of the present Egyptian cats to the mummies and see
how they relate to the Mau breed. It is possible that these cats
will have very different genetics than other cats. They may be shown
to be a unique population and possibly linked to the Pharaonic cats
of ancient times.
DNA samples from 50-100 cats from Egypt will be collected over
the next few months to a year. Sample collection is simple: EMRO
has been sent small cytological brushes that are used to collect
DNA from the cat's mouth. This will not hurt the cat; it is
kind of like brushing the cat's teeth. These swabs will be returned
to the university for analysis.
EMRO will be assisted in this research by a team of local veterinarians,
including Drs. Nour Hashish and Mohammed Hegab of the Pet Vet Clinic
of Heliopolis, Cairo, and Dr. Amir Mikhail of the Pet Care Clinic
of New Maadi, Cairo.
For more information on this group offering feline genetics analysis,
check out Dr. Lyon's website at: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/
We will have future updates on this study.
|
