A new study conducted by an international team of scientists led by researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has identified the gene responsible for this great range of dog sizes. The answer, it seems involve a number of different versions of the gene that encodes for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). The gene, IGF1, was identified following genetic analysis that began with screening 463 Portuguese water dogs, a breed that has a lot of diversity in size. The researchers measured the dogs, took X-rays, and then sequenced their DNA and looked for different regions of interest. This research team will plans on turning their attention to identifying genetic markers that control other aspects of canine appearance. Whether they find the gene for adorable remains to be seen. The study was published in Science today.
Friday, April 06, 2007
All Dogs Great and Small
A new study conducted by an international team of scientists led by researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has identified the gene responsible for this great range of dog sizes. The answer, it seems involve a number of different versions of the gene that encodes for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). The gene, IGF1, was identified following genetic analysis that began with screening 463 Portuguese water dogs, a breed that has a lot of diversity in size. The researchers measured the dogs, took X-rays, and then sequenced their DNA and looked for different regions of interest. This research team will plans on turning their attention to identifying genetic markers that control other aspects of canine appearance. Whether they find the gene for adorable remains to be seen. The study was published in Science today.
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