Bernese Mountain Dog DNA/Tissue Repository
As part of our mission to improve the health and longevity of our Berners, the Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF)
and Michigan State University (MSU), with support from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA), have
established a Repository that collects, stores and maintains DNA and tumor tissue samples from
Bernese Mountain Dogs. The goal of the Repository is to facilitate research on serious genetic
diseases affecting the breed. The samples collected, along with the health and pedigree information
in the Berner-Garde Data Base, will assist researchers who have been hampered in the past by the lack
of samples as well as insufficient medical and pedigree information.
Everyone who has a Berner can help, as we need DNA samples from both healthy and affected dogs. Frozen tumor tissue is the
most valuable submission we can get, but it is obviously only available from dogs with a diagnosed illness. There
is no charge for submitting samples to the Repository as that cost is being covered by BGF and BMDCA.
However, the owner is responsible for obtaining Pathology results from affected Berners.
Submissions Are Needed!
The types of submissions we need for the Repository are:
1. Blood or cheek swabs from all dogs, whether healthy or diagnosed with any disorder.
2. Fresh frozen tumor tissue. This is tissue frozen immediately upon removal from the dog. See
the
Special Instructions for more details.
3. Ongoing updates in the Berner-Garde Database regarding the health of your dog.
Please note it is critical that frozen tissue samples have an exact diagnosis. This is done by
submitting a fixed tissue sample to your veterinarian's choice of laboratory or to the
Diagnostic Center for Poplulation and Animal Health (DCPAH) at Michigan State University. We highly recommend
DCPAH as they are well known for being an outstanding laboratory. These pathology results should be forwarded to
Berner-Garde either through our File Manager,
Pat Long, or to
Sharon or Marlee at the Repository. Note that laboratory diagnostic
charges are the responsibility of the owner and are not covered by the Repository.
Additionally, please remember that #3, updating your health records in the BGF Database, including whether the dog is still living is
extremely important information to researchers. This is most important for those of you who have submitted blood
or cheek swabs when your dog was healthy. You can update your dog's health information at any time by clicking
here on the
Dog Submission Form or by contacting any of our
Berner-Garde Data Operators.
For more in-depth information on the Repository, please click here.
Repository Contact Information:
Berner-Garde Foundation
Mary Maliarik, PhD,
Repository Liaison for BGF
mmaliarik@aol.com
734-995-1856 home
734-355-7924 cell
|
Lori Jodar
President, BGF
lori@freeway.net
231-348-5519 home
231-339-3499 cell
|
Michigan State University