Genetics conference includes canine breed test presentation

A January 15 workshop at the Plant and Animal Genetics conference January 12-16 in San Diego included a presentation by Sue DeNise of MMI Genomics titled “Development and Commercialization of a SNP-based DNA Diagnostic Test to Predict Canine Breed Heritage.”

MMI Genomics, which is based in Davis, is approximately 15 years old and is a subsidiary of MetaMorphics, Inc. MMI Genomics provides patronage and identity test services to various organizations including the American Kennel Club.

The stage 1 work identified genetic differences by breed. “We know that there are huge differences among the different breeds,” DeNise said.

Stage 2 evaluated genes for complex traits. The initial work sampled 9,561 dogs in 108 breeds.

In 2003 MMI Genomics purchased a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) system from Beckman-Coulter to identify the breed heritage of cattle. The program was used to obtain ancestry of unrelated cattle. The study utilized 210 head and performed 6,189 SNPs.

The ability to determine heritage based on genetic marker differences, including a strong correlation in the hybrid Beef Master breed to its known ancestry, led MMI to pursue similar work on dog heritage.

MMI selected 38 breeds, including nine of the ten most-registered breeds (boxers were the exception) and representatives of all seven AKC groups. The 38 breeds total approximately 74 percent of total AKC registrations. “We actually could separate out all these different dog breeds,” DeNise said.

The work utilized 96 genetic markers for the 38 breeds. Cheek swab samples of DNA allowed for a data base of more than 500,000 genotypes.

The testing produced some surprises in the mixed-breed dogs of several volunteers, including one prominent genetics researcher, but provided information about the ancestral breeds of the dogs.

MMI plans to expand its research. “We are in the process of validating more breeds,” DeNise said, estimating that information on 116 breeds will be available by the end of the first quarter of 2008. “We’ll add more markers to that as well.”

The availability will still favor more populous breeds in order to increase reliability. “It’s a numbers game. You’ve got to have enough representation in the breeds to get a really good qualification,” DeNise said.

In addition to owner knowledge, breed composition information can be used to infer potential health risks, customize medical care or diet and exercise programs, and understand behavior and personality. The cheek swab method is painless to the animal and usually results in a more cooperative canine.

“It’s a feel-good story,” DeNise said. “It’s been a very exciting product.”