Cats owners are required to share the characteristics of their strange pets and even researchers who spread their fur in an attempt to shed light on how cat’s health and behavior are affected by genetics.
Scientists behind the project, Darwin catsThey hope to record 100,000 of the clip, from the proportions to Moggies, with the DNA of 5,000 cats expected to be sequenced next year.
The team says the goal is to produce the largest genetic database in the world.
Unlike most of the current databases, which tend to focus on specific strains or veterinary applications, Darwin Cats Is Building A Diverse, Large-Scale Dataset That Includes Pet Cats, Strays and Mixed Breeds from All Walks of Life, “Said Dr Elinor Karlsson, The Chief Scientist at the US Nonprofit Organisation Darwin’s Ark, Director of the Vertebrate Genomics Group at the Broad Institute of Mit and Harvard and Associate Profesor at the Umass Chang Medical School.
“It is important to note, this is an open data project, so we will share data with other scientists with the growth of the data group.”
The project is followed on the following Darwin dogsA similar endeavor to him Shedding light on the aspects of dog behaviorThe disease and genetic origins of modern breeds.
Darwin’s cats were launched in mid -2014 and already have more than 3000 registered cats, although not all of them offer fur samples.
Participants from all over the world are required to complete a number of free survey studies on physical pet feature, behavior, environment and health.
However, at the present time, DNA groups – for their owners cannot be sent to present fur samples – to the American population only, and requests a $ 199 (160 pounds) to cover the cost of the sequence and assist in financing the research.
Carlson added that the team has developed a way to get high-quality DNA from loose fur without the need for its roots-which means that samples can be simply collected by brush.
The researchers hope that by combining visions of the cats of cats and the results of the survey, they can shed light on how the cats affect the cats on what the cats look, how they behave and the diseases they suffer from.
Carlson said: “Understanding genetics behind personal features can shed light on human nervous conditions,” Carlson said.
The team also hopes to learn more about the genetic diversity of different strains and search the origin of modern cats, with the addition of Carlson that they are especially interested in many original cats.
She said: “I am really curious to know how common this characteristic is in different parts of the world. I hope that one day we are able to combine this information with genetics to follow this feature to its origins.”
“We are really interested in the cooperative approach to Turkin Darwin, especially in encouraging pet owners as scientists in society to help enhance the collective scientific understanding of cats as a type,” said a spokesman for the work of the Charity Car Care (ICATCARE), who is not involved in the work.
Dr. Jeffrey Shwinbeek, from the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, welcomed the scheme. He said: “This is an important project that has the ability to improve our understanding of the accompanying animals and diseases that cause their obsessive diseases, and the nature of cat domestication.”
