The complete DNA sequence of an individual can now be determined within a few days. The 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative has been initiated to find the genetic causes of health problems in felines. There is strong evidence that amyloidosis is heritable. Two breeds of cats suffer from amyloidosis: Oriental/Siamese related cats and Abyssinian related cats, however their diseases present differently. The Siamese and Oriental cats tend to have a liver disease such that amyloid protein build-up causes the liver to become hard and then rupture, causing the cats to die of severe hemorrhage. This study will determine the entire genome of two Siamese – Oriental cats with well-defined amyloidosis in order to attempt to identify a genetic cause of amyloidosis. The whole genome sequencing phase of the study will begin in November 2015.
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