Identification of genomic biomarkers associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats.
BBSRC LIDo iCASE PhD student working in partnership with Zoetis to identify genomic biomarkers of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Supervised by Dr Androniki Psifidi, Professor Virginia Luis Fuentes and Professor David Connolly.
HCM affects 1/7 cats (and 1/500 humans) and is associated with increased risk of cardiac death and decreased life expectancy. While >1000 HCM-associated variants have been identified in humans, there have been only 3 identified in cats and there is no current treatment to slow or halt the progression of the disease. Identification of genomic biomarkers will enable identification of target genes and pathways for treatment development.