In this podcast we bring you an interview with Dr. Kathryn Meurs.  Dr. Meurs recently relocated her laboratory to North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies as well as the director of the NCSU Veterinary Cardiac Genetics & Holter Laboratories  A board certified cardiologist, Dr. Meurs has focused her research efforts on familial heart diseases.  Dr. Meurs has been funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation for subvalvular aortic stenosis in Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers; dilated cardiomyopathy in the Doberman Pincher and Great Dane; and ventricular arrhythmias in the Boxer.

In this podcast we bring you an interview with C.A. Sharp, President of the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute, an organization dedicated to sharing knowledge about the genetics of the breed.  C.A. is also a prolific writer on canine health.

In this podcast C.A. discusses the reasons why purebred dogs are good research models; why purebred dogs are helpful to human medicine and to veterinary medicine for all dogs; and the need to participate in research by providing DNA samples.

In this edition of Genome Barks, we welcome Dr. Lorna Kennedy a member of the faculty of the University of Manchester Center for Integrated Genomic Medical Research in the United Kingdom.  Dr. Kennedy has received funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation for her work in the genetics of hypothyrodism, immune mediated hemolytic anemia, and anal furunculosis.

These disease are all associated with changes in an area of the canine genome called the Major Histiocompatability Complex (MHC).  In this podcast, Dr. Kennedy discusses the MHC, autoimmune diseases, her research on these diseases and similarities to human conditions.