Highlights and Milestones
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Most of us are familiar with how many owners or breeders use the Berner-Garde Database to research dogs and pedigrees. However, many people may not be aware of how Berner-Garde also works with the scientific community to assist them in their research efforts. These efforts could be identifying genetic causes of diseases or searching for potential treatments to help keep our dogs healthy. Listed here are some of the efforts we have been involved in. Links to published research papers are provided when available.
Researchers, for information about applying for repository samples or database extracts, please see our Research page by clicking here.
Transcriptome Analysis of Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma Tumors and Cell Lines Reveals Multiple Targets for Therapy
- Berner-Garde @ BMDCA National Specialties
- Health Auction
- Purchases made tax deductible through our fiscal sponsorship agreement
- Annual management of the health auction check-out
- DNA and urine collections
- BGF Berner-U presentations
- International collaborations fostered through
- Participation at IWG meetings
- International Health Symposia
- Connections and relationships built with other BMD Clubs worldwide
- BMDCA Health Committee
- Michigan State University - Dr. Tuddow Thaiwong-Nebelung
- Rametrix - Dr. John Robertson
- Trametinib Clinical Trial led by Dr. Marila Takada of University of Florida
- Dr. Hedan/Antagene
- Dr. Elaine Ostrander
- Rametrix® - Berner-Garde collected BMD "liquid gold" to assist Rametrix® Technologies, Inc. (RTI) in our fight against canine cancer. Rametrix® asked us to help validate their urine-based rapid Raman molecular test, which will be used for early cancer and kidney disease detection. Click here to learn more about this research.
- MSU Liquid Biopsy - MSU researchers are working to develop a targeted capture system that includes a) the regions of the genomic DNA that has the HS specific driver mutations and b) includes additional genes known to be involved in other canine cancers or in similar cancers in humans. This more comprehensive target may allow researchers to identify at early stages, not only HS, but other cancers, such as mast cell tumors, lymphomas, hemangiosarcomas and osteosarcomas. Utilizing this Comprehensive Cancer Panel (CCP) in MSU’s initial year will allow them to potentially identify other key mutations important in HS development, as well as testing for the specificity of various mutations and evaluating if this is a feasible approach for other cancers as well.
- Trametinib Clinical Trial - BGF funded expenses related to the on-going Trametinib clinical trial that were not covered by the BMDCA Funding from Morris Animal Foundation grant dollars. BGF funded $4500 to compound Trametinib. Trametinib is a drug which shows promise in treating Histiocytic Sarcoma.
MSU Repository Costs
Repository costs include annual storage fees for blood and tumor DNA samples, costs for MSU staff to accept, process and get samples into storage, and purchase of freezers.
DNA Collected
Berner-Garde has been collecting blood DNA and tumor samples since 2006. With over 4000 samples currently in the Repository, we are now focusing on targeted blood collections for specific diseases and very old dogs. Please see our Repository page for further details.
DNA Used
- 2014 - 56 blood DNA samples from dogs with Histiocytic Sarcoma sent to Dr.'s Benoit Hedan and Catherine at University of Rennes for validation of the HS pre-test (HS pre-test was introduced in 2015).
- 2024 - 371 blood DNA samples sent to Dr. Benoit Hedan
- 97 lymphoma samples
- 32 mast cell tumor samples
- 142 samples from BMD's > 10 years
- 100 histiocytic sarcoma samples
- xxx samples used by Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan of Michigan State University
Health Survey Costs
Costs to create survey, administer survey distribution and collect and summarize survey responses for entry into the Berner-Garde database. The goal of the survey is to ensure we have up to date health information, including documentation for date/cause of death for dogs with DNA in the Repository.
DNA and Tissue Submissions since 2006
- Blood - 3634 Submissions, 9945 Aliquots
- For example, in 2024 Berner-Garde sent 371 blood DNA samples to Dr. Benoit Hedan
- 97 lymphoma samples
- 32 mast cell tumor samples
- 142 samples from BMD's greater than 10 years of age
- 100 histiocytic sarcoma samples
- Another example, in 2014 56 blood samples from dogs with Histiocytic Sarcoma sent to Dr. Benoit Hedan and Dr. Catherine Andre at University of Rennes for validation of the Histiocytic Sarcoma pre-test (that was introduced in 2015)
- Cheek Swabs - 2904 Submissions, 6393 Aliquots
- Formalin Fixed Tissue - 77 Submissions, 3 Aliquots
- Frozen Tissue - 479 Submissions, 530 Aliquots