The field of genomics has revealed fundamental molecular mechanisms governing physiology and disease, promising to revolutionize diagnostics, individualized treatments and comparative analyses across species.
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s successful mammalian genomics research connects clinical observations with genetic results. Along with its collaborative culture, Cornell leverages its veterinary biobank, genomics research centers, collaborative computational methods, and robust internal research funding programs through groups like the Cornell Feline Health Center, the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research, and the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, all of which enable meaningful scientific insights. Examples of such discoveries are described below.
Dr. Doug Antczak and colleagues significantly contributed to deciphering the equine genome, developing a diagnostic test for the lethal lavender foal syndrome, and discovering key genetic insights on the Thoroughbred and Arabian breeds. Dr. Adam Boyko’s canine genomic mapping has produced a canine DNA test that identifies over 250 Mendelian mutations across many dog breeds. Dr. Rory Todhunter and colleagues conducted the largest genomic study of complex feline diseases in nonpurebred cats to date, identifying genomic regions associated with hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis.
Cornell applies genomics to study cancer in multiple species; Dr. Andrew Miller uses RNAseq to examine the tumor transcriptome of canine glioma and meningioma and studies the RNA transcriptome of canine soft tissue sarcomas. Using cell-free DNA sequencing, Dr. Jessica Hayward and Dr. Kelly Hume hope to develop better diagnostics for canine hepatocellular carcinoma and lymphoma. Hume and colleagues also investigate new combinations of targeted therapies to expedite novel human and canine cancer treatments. Similarly, Dr. Jacquelyn Evans researches canine cancers with multiple genetic and environmental risk factors, including gastric cancer, aiming to improve diagnostics and treatments for canines and humans alike. Dr. Santiago Peralta uses genomics technologies to study oral tumors in dogs and cats and to improve diagnostics and therapy across species.
Many Cornell scientists apply genomics to human cancer; for example, Dr. Charles Danko employs epigenetic mapping to reveal the molecular pathways driving human breast cancer. Harnessing high-resolution genome-scale approaches to define gene regulatory mechanisms, Dr. Praveen Sethupathy examines the microRNA impact on gut epithelial function and diseases such as human fibrolamellar carcinoma.
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s successful mammalian genomics research connects clinical observations with genetic results, such as Dr. Adam Boyko’s canine DNA test for over 250 Mendelian mutations across many dog breeds. Photo: Cornell University.
Citation: American Journal of Veterinary Research 84, 8; 10.2460/ajvr.23.06.0127
Cornell researchers also unravel the genetics of many other conditions—from the musculoskeletal to the gastrointestinal, to the reproductive, and beyond. Todhunter and colleagues have identified markers of canine hip and elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament rupture, and, with Hayward, study genetic variants contributing to the Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Dr. Kenneth Simpson examines the genetic basis of granulomatous colitis in Boxer dogs and protein-losing enteropathy in Yorkshire Terriers, using a combination of candidate genes and genome-wide analysis. Meanwhile, Sethupathy applies genomics to human diseases such as diabetes mellitus and Crohn’s disease. Dr. John Schimenti studies human infertility alleles in human populations using CRISPR-mediated modeling in mice, and Dr. Ned Place researches the genetics contributing to the long-lasting fertility of naked mole-rats to better understand human ovarian aging.
As genomics technology advances, Cornell will continue to harness it for the health and well-being of all species.
