Dog
Genome Decoding Complete
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Craig
Venter, the human genome research man has got the
genetic blueprint of his best friend figured out.
The dog genome decoding is complete.
For
the project, Craig Venter used his nine year old
dog Shadow's DNA for decoding. It appears that Shadow
has 18,473 genes with human equivalents.
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Dogs have 2.4 billion DNA letters and 39 pairs of chromosomes
with 99% similarity between different breeds.
With
350 known genetic dog diseases, the work has just begun.
Researchers have identified some genes that relate to a
dog's life and quite a few linked to smell.
Meanwhile,
the US government too is busy at work on a detailed dog
genome, from a boxer called Tasha. The project is expected
to be completed early 2004.
References
Kirkness, E. F. et al. The dog genome: survey sequencing
and comparative analysis. Science, 301, 1898 - 1903, (2003).
