AKC CHF Studies / ASSA Supported

The studies below have been sponsored by the ASSA through the Shetland Sheepdog Donor Advised Fund administered by AKC Canine Health Foundation. Dollar amounts noted are the amounts donated from the Shetland Sheepdog Donor Advised Fund.

2016

Memorandum of Understanding Grant*: Improvement of Risk Assessments of Dermatomyositis Genetic Testing. Dr. Leigh Anne Clark, Clemson University, $11,648.
Project Goal: Funds were used to perform DNA testing of additional older Shetland Sheepdogs in order to enhance risk assessments of a DNA test. * Funded entirely from the ASSA Donor Advised Fund.

2014

Grant #01986: Profiling the Metabolic and Lipid Imbalances that are Causative of Gallbladder Disease in Dogs. Dr. Jody L. Gookin, DVM, PhD; North Carolina State University. Grant Period: 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2015. $35,000.
Project Goal: To determine if dogs that develop gallbladder mucoceles (GBM) have a unique disturbance in cholesterol or lipid metabolism in an attempt to understand why GBM form and develop tests for early diagnosis.

2013

Grant #01766: Identification and Validation of the Genes That Define Abnormal Development of the Kidney in Dogs. Dr. Kerstin Lindblah-Toh, Broad Institute, 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2014. $2,500.

Project Goal: To conduct genetic and functional studies to identify the causative mutation of Renal Dysplasia in Boxers. The research group will also collect additional samples from Shetland Sheepdogs as well as other breeds. Genome-wide association studies in Boxers and other breeds will help dissect the genetics of canine renal dysplasia, improve our understanding of renal development in dogs and humans, and determine whether breed specific genetic tests will be required for prevention.

Grant #01766 – December,2013 Report

Grant #01849: Filling the Gaps in the Canine Genome. Dr. Shaying Zhao, University of Georgia, 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2014. $2,500.

Project Goal: To build the most accurate and complete annotation of the dog genome for its gene annotation. The project will significantly facilitate research in areas of canine health most significant to the AKC Canine Health Foundation constituency and lead to important RNA-based (transcriptomic) and protein-based (proteomic) research in the future.

Grant #01849 – March 2015 Report , December, 2013 Report

2012

Grant 1577: Fine Mapping of Loci for Transitional Cell Carcinoma in the Scottish Terrier,
West Highland White Terrier, and Shetland Sheepdog,
Dr. Elaine Ostrander, PhD; National Human Genome Research Institution- $2,500.

Project Goal: The goal of this project is to find the gene mutation that is responsible for
Transitional Cell Carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer, in three breeds of dogs with higher risk for the disease.
Grant1577 – Grant Progress Report 6 month Review / Grant Progress Report Summary 2012

Grant 1615: Identification of Idiopathic Epilepsy Genes in Australian Shepherds
Dr. Ned E. Patterson, DVM PhD; University of Minnesota - $2,500.

Project Goal: This research group aims to identify the genetic mutation associated with epilepsy in
Australian Shepherds and develop a DNA based test to identify affected dogs and aid in diagnosis.
After identifying a mutation, the researchers will also test to see if the mutation(s) affect other dog breeds
with a high incidence of epilepsy. Grant 1615 – 2012 Report / 2013 Report

2011

Grant 01418: PET 2.0: Providing Engineered T-cells (PET): New Genetic and Immunotherapy Targeting Canines
with Spontaneous B-cell Lymphoma, Dr. Heather M. Wilson, DVM, Texas A&M University - $2,500.

2010

Grant 01336A&B: Finding the Mutations that Increase Susceptibility to Transitional Cell Carcinoma in the
Scottish Terrier, West Highland Terrier, and Shetland Sheepdog - $10,000.

Grant 00762: The Mapping and Characterization of Canine Epilepsy Loci,
Primary Investigator Dr. Gary Johnson, University of Missouri - $5,000.

Grant 01262: Sequencing and Functional Analysis of the Canine Y Chromosome,
Dr. William Murphy, Texas A & M University - $2,500.

Grant 01248: Whole Genome Association Analyses for Cryptorchidism in Dogs,
Dr. Max Rothschild, Iowa State University - $2,500.

2009

Grant 00779: Characterization of the Canine Y Chromosome: Identifying Genes that Cause Male Infertility,
Dr. William Murphy, Texas A & M University - $2,500.

Grant 00748: SNP Association Mapping for Canine Epilepsy,
Dr. Ned E. Patterson, DVM PhD; University of Minnesota - $1,000.

2008

Grant 754A&B: Mapping of the Gene for Transitional Cell Carcinoma in the Scottish Terrier &
West Highland White Terrier. Deborah Knapp, DVM, primary investigator. Amount requested and donated: $2,500. (After this donation, Dr. Knapp agreed to include Shetland Sheepdogs in the study.)

Grant 1018A: Comparative Gene Discovery for Canine Cryptorchidism. Max Rothschild, primary investigator.
Amount requested and donated: $730.
(Dr. Rothschild, and agreed to include Shetland Sheepdogs in his study if we provided him with the DNA material.)

Grant 882A: Genetics of Cryptorchidism in Dogs. Alexander Agoulnik, primary investigator. Amount requested and donated: $1,000. (Dr. Agoulnik agreed to include Shetland Sheepdogs in his study.)