As the first animal to be domesticated by man, the humble canine has been an almost permanent figure by our side. However, it was only a few years ago that a team of international researchers presented a detailed analysis of the dog genome. Building on that landmark study, scientists from the University of Minnesota have uncovered a genetic cancer link between humans and dogs. The researchers used molecular cytogenics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology to compare tumor cells in both species. Cytogenetics is a branch of genetics concerned with the study of chromosomes and cell division. FISH technology is a cytogenetic procedure used to identify and localize the presence or absence of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. Using these techniques the researchers found that genetic changes that occur in dogs diagnosed with certain cancers of the blood and bone marrow, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, Burkitt's lymphoma , and chronic lymphocytic leukemia , are similar to genetic abnormalities in humans diagnosed with the same cancers. As a result, scientists know now there is a common pathogenetic basis for cancer between humans and dogs. The researches behind this experiment believe that studying dog cancers may allow us to recognize cancer associated genes more easily in canine populations than in human populations. Once these genes have been identified in dog populations, the findings can then be translated to human cancers, thus providing greater insight into the cause of cancer.
Primary link
Breen, M., Modiano, J., 2008. Evolutionarily conserved cytogenetic changes in hematological malignancies of dogs and humans; why man and his best friend
share more than companionship. Chromosome Research 16, 145-154
Secondary Links
No Author 2008. Genetic Cancer Link Between Humans And Dogs Discovered.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228112011.htm
Accessed 23rd May 2005
Henry, D. 2008. Researcher finds dog-human cancer link. http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2008/03/04/72165950.
Accessed 23rd May 2008
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1 comment:
What a superb blog, brilliant effort, 10/10, bravo to the young biogenetic prodigy behind this masterpiece
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