An international team of researchers announced this month that they have sequenced the entire
genome of the domestic cat. Specifically, they have sequenced the genome of Cinnamon, a female Abyssinian cat from the University of Missouri. Because there are roughly 250 diseases that cats and humans have in common, the research has implications for improving human health, as well as the the health of the internet's favorite furry friend.
Sequencing the feline genome can give researchers insight into conditions like leukemia, HIV, and diabetes, for which there are analagous cat diseases.
Besides genetic and infectious diseases, sequencing sheds some light on the evolution of domestic cats. Cats, unlike dogs, have remained relatively unchanged over thousands of years of domestication.
For her part, Cinnamon is no stranger to the advancement of science. Her genome was first sequenced in 2007, however the best technology at the time could only sequence 60% of her genome. Besides Cinnamon, genetic samples were taken from Boris, a domestic cat from St. Petersburg, Russia, and Sylvester, a European wildcat.
You can download a provisional PDF of the research paper, Annotated features of domestic cat -- Felis catus genome, here.
Because we couldn't resist the opportunity to have one on this blog, one of our favorite cat videos is below. Enjoy!
