EMRO assisting in research
EMRO is working in collaboration on a feline genetics study, with a feline geneticist, Dr. Leslie Lyons,
Associate Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
As one of their projects, the UCDavis feline genone research group is examining the domestication of the
cat and how cat breeds relate to their supposed populations and lands of origin, through DNA samples. They
are also planning a project with an Egyptologist in Utah for looking at the DNA of mummified cats. They
hope to potentially show a relationship of the present Egyptian cats to the mummies and see how they relate
to the Mau breed. It is possible that these cats will have very different genetics than other cats. They
may be shown to be a unique population and possibly link to the Pharonic cats of ancient times.
DNA samples from 50 - 100 cats from Egypt will be collected over the next few months to a year. Sample
collection is simple. EMRO has been sent small cytological brushes that are used to collect DNA from the
cat's mouth. This will not hurt the cat, kind of like brushing the cat's teeth. These swabs will be returned
to the University for analysis.
EMRO will be assisted in this research by a team of local veterinarians, including Drs. Nour Hashish and
Mohammed Hegab, of the Pet Vet Clinic of Heliopolis, Cairo, and Dr. Amir Mikhail of Pet Care Clinic of
New Maadi, Cairo.
For more information on this group offering feline genetics analysis, check out Dr. Lyon’s website at: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/
We will have future updates on this study.
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