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Cat Out of the Bag: Kitty's DNA Decoded

Deciphering feline genome could help with HIV, blindness research

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2007 6:12 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A 4-year-old Abyssinian cat named Cinnamon has become the first of her species to have its DNA sequenced, the BBC reports. Cats now join dogs, chimps, rats, mice, cows and people as mammals with decoded genomes. Cinnamon’s sequence could shed light on hundreds of human illnesses; cats can suffer from hereditary blindness and a feline version of HIV.

The project’s lead researcher wants to locate the “genes for good behavior in the cat … the things that make them not want to kill our children but play with them.” Twenty-six mammals in total were chosen by an American project for “shot-gun” genome sequencing: Cinnamon’s DNA is actually only 60% complete—with the rest of the bases to follow next year.

Blue Tabby Persian cat Cozmo Borderline Blues, from Manahawkin, N.J.
Blue Tabby Persian cat Cozmo Borderline Blues, from Manahawkin, N.J.   (Associated Press)
DNA sculpture at Centre for Life
DNA sculpture at Centre for Life   ((c) maria_keays)
Crick Memorial Fire Escape'
Crick Memorial Fire Escape'   ((c) eliotc)
This undated photo released by University of Missouri shows a cat, a 4-year-old female Abyssinian named Cinnamon, that scientists have used to largely deciphered the DNA of the house cat, a step that may help researchers find new treatments for both feline and human diseases. (AP Photo/University of Missouri-Columbia)
This undated photo released by University of Missouri shows a cat, a 4-year-old female Abyssinian named Cinnamon, that scientists have used to largely deciphered the DNA of the house cat, a step that...   (Associated Press)
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See the findings in Genome Research
Genome Research

Read even more about the cat genome
Cat Genome Project

Or take part in a different kind of cat research...
Cute Overload! :)

 
AIDS • DNA • blindness • genome • cat

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