Researchers at the University and other institutions are studying the aging process of humans through the eyes of dogs.
Professor Joshua Akey, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, is a member Scientists as a teamThe Hintergrund der Dog Aging Project (DAP). This project is a multi-institutional, long-term research effort that aims to better understand the genetic determinants and interactions between genes and the environment that influence aging.
According to Akey, The Daily Princetonian learned that the Project originated at the University of Washington when he was working there. Many of the PeopleThe DAP’s directors are still based in London, but the team is a collaboration among 27 institutions from around world.
Third year PhD candidate in Princeton’s quantitative and computational biology program, William Thistlethwaite explained that studying dogs can open up new avenues for understanding certain aspects of human diseases or aging processes.
Thistlethwaite stressed the fact that there are many similarities between dogs and humans, but that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the results of the groups will be applicable to humans.
However, because of what I had mentioned, he said, “We are confident, optimistic, and optimistic that the results will be applicable.”
DAP is collecting genetic information from over 10,000 dogs to support a variety of research. Akey informed the Prince that one component of the project will focus upon whole-genome sequencing data to study many age-related disorders, while another will identify dogs who are exceptionally long-lived and explore what aspects of their DNA contribute to their long lives.
Dog owners can SubmitYour pets can be included in the Dog Aging Project Pack online. Owners will need to complete a survey to obtain information about their pets, including their diet and whereabouts. Thistlethwaite explained to us that the project can help control for these differences in dog environments. He also highlighted that they are a positive part of the research.
[W]He said that e can ask some really interesting question because we have this information. I think [it]It is a positive thing to have a variety of environments, breed backgrounds, and all that stuff. [H]It is a great thing to embrace diversity.Hope Perry is a News contributor and the Head Podcast Editor at ‘Prince’. She has covered USG, University COVID-19 policy, and US politics. You can reach her at hperry@princeton.edu, or follow @hopemperry on Twitter.
