DNA Banking Project
How Can My Collies Participate?

What is the purpose of the study?
To store the DNA of a number of Collies, and create a database that will be helpful in providing future assistance in Collie-specific research.
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Who do I contact?
DNAWorks • Dr. Mary Whitely
161 Sherin Avenue
Peterborough, ONT Canada K9J 1B7
(705) 748-0089 • info@dogenes.com

Is there any fee to participate?
Tthe Foundation will cover the cost of cheek swabs for the first 500 Collies to be enrolled.

What should I send?
Cheek swabs will be sent free of charge to a selected number of Collie breeders to start this program. Instructions for use and a form to provide information on each dog will accompany the supply of swabs.

What Happens Next?
Once prepared, the swabs and all pertinent information (pedigree and all relevant clinical data and the information for the database) will be sent directly to a selected DNA storage lab, and will be identified only by a code number to assure complete confidentiality.

What Happens Next?
The DNA Bank will be owned by the Collie Health Foundation, but will be operated and managed by a DNA Laboratory.

One of the Collie Health Foundation’s newest and most exciting projects is the creation of a DNA Bank. It’s a futuristic idea with applications in the here and now. DNA from participating Collies will be processed, isolated, and stored by an accredited laboratory so that it can be available for use in research projects both now and in the future. An existing DNA Bank will give scientists a head start in their studies and also provide them with a large number of samples.

DNA collection in this case is by cheek swab, and thus will be easy enough for a breeder to do at home. Swabbing of the dogs will be simple and painless. Each dog will have 3 swabs done - 2 to be returned to the lab and one kept by the owner.

Samples will be identified by a code number, which will ensure a breeder’s privacy. Only the code number will be used when DNA samples are provided to Collie health researchers for a study. There will be no personal identifiers.

This project should make life easier for the researchers who are studying canine health problems. It will also make life better for our Collies. We are hoping this opens the doors for a multitude of research possibilities that in the long run will help in eliminating undesirable inherited traits and diseases in our breed. More information will be forthcoming!