The Wisdom Panel™ research team is excited to announce a new multi-year partnership with the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge. 

About the Canine Genetics Centre 

The CGC is a well-recognised non-profit genetics research group in the Department of Veterinary Medicine. They are responsible for identifying more than 30 canine disease mutations, including those responsible for primary lens luxation, and more recently, a PRA that affects English shepherd dogs, with the help of Wisdom Panel™. Geneticist Cathryn Mellersh PhD, principal investigator, and the Wisdom research team will work to analyse data from the more than 4.5 million dogs with genetic health testing results in the Wisdom database for new insights into canine health and genetic disease. 

“Cathryn and her team make such a positive impact for so many breeds through their work and the genetic tests they  develop. At Wisdom Panel we are proud to support Cathryn’s team and can’t wait to get started on this mutually beneficial opportunity to work more closely together” - Oliver Forman, Wisdom Panel Genetic Research Director 

Wisdom will also support the CGC's study of the genetic underpinnings of chondrodystrophy with intervertebral disk disease risk (CDDY with IVDD). The first breed subject will be the Dachshund, in partnership with UK breeders. A pattern of increased risk for IVDD in mixed breed dogs over purebreds with CDDY suggests protective or risk factors have been indirectly selected for or against by breeders, lending hope that solutions for breeds at high risk of intervertebral disk disease and herniation, such as the Dachshund, French Bulldog, Cocker spaniel and Beagle may be found. 

Wisdom anticipates this partnership will produce significant findings that benefit purebred dogs, and we will share more as the research progresses, so stay tuned!