A new database covering over 100 different canine tissues can significantly enhance our understanding of hereditary diseases and provide valuable information for health research in both dogs and humans.
The International DoGA Consortium has achieved a significant milestone in genetics research by creating a comprehensive canine promoter and gene expression atlas. The atlas is a database that shows which genes are active in different parts of the body and when they are activated. This helps researchers better understand how genes function in various situations and how they impact health and diseases.
“This new international database is a significant advancement for genetic disease researchers, not only for dogs but also for other species,” said Professor Hannes Lohi, one of the lead researchers of the study at the University of Helsinki.
“Our comprehensive database provides a crucial resource for understanding gene regulation and will serve as a critical tool for the scientific community for years to come.”
The creation of the DoGA atlas—described in Nature Communications—was the result of close collaboration among researchers worldwide. The project involved experts in genomics, veterinary medicine, and computational biology.
Researchers collected over 5000 samples from various dog breeds and wolves, using advanced RNA sequencing techniques to map gene expression and promoter structures. This extensive work significantly improves the canine gene map compared to other model organisms such as mice, zebrafish, or cattle.
The open DoGA database provides the scientific community with an interactive gene atlas, allowing researchers to comprehensively study gene expression in different tissues. This enables the prioritisation of hereditary factors related to diseases and promotes research between humans and dogs.
The data collected in the database can be used to map genes associated with cancers, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders.
“By improving our understanding of gene regulation in both dogs and wolves, the DoGA database is expected to have a significant impact on both veterinary and human medicine,” Professor Lohi said.
