Research Organization: Michigan State University & Berner-Garde Foundation With support from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America
Contact Person: Marlee Richter
Contact Phone: 517-432-2808
Email Address: berners@cvm.msu.edu
Project Web Site: http://cvm.msu.edu/research/berner/index.htm
This research does not involve any one disease but is designed to be a repository of DNA information available to other institutions. Please see the next section for details.
Berner-Garde Foundation and Michigan State University, with support from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, have established a repository that will collect, store and maintain DNA and tissue samples from a large population of BMDs, whether affected with a disorder or not, along with pedigree and medical history information. The Repository will be a reliable resource for investigations of genetic and complex diseases that affect Bernese Mountain Dogs as well as other dog breeds and humans with similar disorders.
Several specimen types are encouraged:
Blood and/or cheek swabs can be obtained from any dog, including entire litters. This specimen type will provide DNA, for genetic research. Tissue samples provide not only DNA, but RNA, protein and cells to study the process of disease, such as cancers.
To encourage submission of samples to the Repository, the cost of submission of blood, swabs and biopsy samples is covered by funds from Berner-Garde and the BMDCA. The owner will have the cost of shipping and veterinary costs to obtain the sample.
Blood and cheek swabs can be sampled at almost any time. A veterinarian can draw blood and you can take cheek swabs yourself! These types of submissions are especially encouraged for litters and multiple generation blood lines. Click on this link for sampling and shipping instructions: http://cvm.msu.edu/research/berner/sample_submission.htm
Tissue specimens should only be taken during normal veterinary care, We DO NOT encourage any special procedures for obtaining these samples.
We have an Online Submission Form that you can fill out to make processing your submission as easy as possible. Filling out the form will alert the technicians at MSU to be expecting your submission. It will also allow you to print off a copy for your records and to mail in with your submission. All submissions should be mailed according to the instructions for the type of submission.
Online Submission form: http://www.bernergarde.org/dbaccess/BG_DogSubmission.aspx
Submission form instructions (PDF): http://cvm.msu.edu/research/berner/submissionform.pdf
Data Sheet Name: DNA.html Last Updated: Sep 5 2007 Proofed: AJH, PL