Thousands of years of co-evolution have made dogs genetically similar to humans, including in their susceptibility to inherited diseases like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). By studying canine DNA, Dr. Tomas Bergström and his team at SLU are identifying disease-causing mutations that could help develop new treatments for human eye disorders.
From blood sample to breakthrough
Dogs and humans share thousands of genetic similarities. By sequencing canine DNA, researchers are uncovering new ways to treat inherited diseases in both species.
We have such great similarities that understanding
diseases in dogs makes us also understand
diseases in humans, and vice-versa.
Tomas Bergström, PhD, Associate Professor, SLU’s Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Shared disease. Shared data.
Dogs naturally develop many of the same genetic diseases as humans. By studying donated samples and health records from veterinary patients, researchers can gain valuable knowledge about shared conditions like these:
Tomas Bergström, PhD, Associate Professor, SLU’s Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Dr. Tomas Bergström is a researcher at the Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), specializing in inherited retinal diseases in dogs, particularly progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). He holds a PhD in Medical Genetics from Uppsala University and is an Associate Professor at SLU. He also teaches and leads courses in genomics, animal genetics, and research training at SLU.
October 2017 (Updated 2025)
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References
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