To facilitate health research on genetic diseases affecting Bernese Mountain Dogs, the Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF)
had a goal of creating a repository of DNA and tumor tissue that would augment the pedigree and current medical
information stored in the Berner-Garde Database. It was envisioned that this could give researchers a reliable source of
information where they could rapidly begin their studies without having to setup the infrastructure for each
researcher to collect this information on their own. BGF President, Lori Jodar and Trustee, Mary Maliarik, had
worked very hard on this project for a number of years and were the driving force behind the vision. This goal
became a reality in the fall of 2006 when the Berner-Garde Foundation (BGF) and Michigan State University (MSU),
with support from the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) signed a contract to establish a DNA and Tumor
Tissue Repository to be housed at Michigan State University.
Making it Happen
Work was done over the winter of 2006 to establish the infrastructure for the repository as well as the processes and procedures
that would be followed. Under the leadership of Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, the Repository
co-sponsor at MSU, the proper ultra-low temperature freezer was selected and ordered. This freezer is specifically
designed for storage of biological samples at -80 degrees Celsius. The BMDCA generously paid for the freezer.
Also during the winter of 2006, the Berner-Garde Database was enhanced to include the capability of recording and
tracking all submitted samples. This included the incorporation of special low-temperature bar coded labels and a
hand-held scanner to aid in recording and identifying each sample. The computer work was done by BGF Trustee Gary
Galunas and implemented the capabilities designed as a collaborative effort by the entire Repository team. The
submitted samples are actually linked to a dog's record in Berner-Garde Database so the pedigree and health
information is right at hand.
The Michigan State University team is headed jointly by Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, a geneticist, and Dr. Matti
Kiupel, a pathologist. Both researchers have a long and impressive history for contributions to canine health
and have been collaborating extensively over the past 5 years on research in various aspects of cancer. Dr.
Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the College
of Veterinary Medicine and runs the
Laboratory Molecular Medicine
and Canine Genetics. Dr. Kiupel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic
Investigation as well as Director of the Immunohistopathology Laboratory and Biopsy Service at the MSU Diagnostic
Center for Population and Animal Health (
DCPAH)
The processes and procedures for collecting samples were worked out through the efforts of BGF Trustee Mary Maliarik,
PhD and the MSU team. Two Licensed Veterinary Technicians, Marlee Richter and Sharon Laird, came on board at this
time to learn about the Repository and to be the persons processing Repository submissions on a daily basis. Many
of you may have communicated directly with Marlee or Sharon as they helped with the blood draw at the 2007 BMDCA
National Specialty in Louisville and have helped many Berner owners with the complexities of submitting frozen
tissue samples.
First Collections
The first samples collected for the repository were at the annual elections meeting for the Heart of Michigan BMDC in
April of 2007. This was our "test run" in preparation for the sample collection that was done a month later in
Louisville. These first two collection events were successful beyond our dreams. At the Michigan club meeting we
collected blood and cheek swabs from 48 dogs and at the National in Louisville we collected from 157 dogs. We had
thought we would get 200 submissions the first year and we actually surpassed that in the first month!
As an additional note, at the initial sample collection at their club meeting, the Heart of Michigan BMDC presented
a check to Berner-Garde in the amount of $5,000 to be used for funding the Repository. This represented 50% of their
profit from the 2006 BMDCA National Specialty in Frankenmuth and was their way of "giving back" to the Berner
community that supported that specialty so well. Lori Jodar (President, BGF) and Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan (MSU)
were there to accept the check.
Where We Are Now
Since the 2007 BMDCA National Specialty in Louisville, a number of regional clubs have volunteered to do DNA sample
collections and this has turned out to be a great success! The Berner-Garde Foundation sincerely thanks all the clubs
that have organized these events and the wonderful volunteers in those clubs that have made this possible.
Grand Canyon State - Nancy Stewart
Greater Seattle - Julie Jackson
Greater Twin Cities - Debby Wilkins
Heart of Michigan - Mary Maliarik
Lone Star - Beverly Hilmes
Northern California - Cindy Beckman
As of the spring of 2010, we have had 1160 dogs submit samples to the Repository. That is a really terrific response by
the Berner community and we sincerely thank all these dogs and owners for contributing.
Going Forward
Our challenge moving forward is for more Berner owners to submit frozen tumor tissue samples. We understand
that the process for obtaining useable frozen tumor samples is complex and difficult but these are the samples that
are extremely useful for research. This is also typically a time of great stress for owners whose dogs have been
diagnosed with a serious disease. We are actively working on making the instructions and process simpler and
easier to understand and it is our hope that more Berner owners will make the effort to contribute these types
of samples.
For the love of a Berner ...
How do I submit a sample?
You need to fill out a submission form and then ship a copy of the form along with the specimen to MSU. You can
either print and fill out the submission form located at
http://cvm.msu.edu/research/the-bernese-mountain-dog-dna-and-tissue-repository-at-michigan-state-university/submission-form-s.pdf or fill out the online submission form located at
bernergarde.org/dbaccess/DTR_OnlineSubmission.aspx.
The forms looks complicated, but fill out as much as you can. Owner and dog name and registration number are necessary.
The rest can be done later. All submissions should be mailed according to the instructions for the type of submission.
This can be found in the far right column of the chart located at
http://cvm.msu.edu/research/the-bernese-mountain-dog-dna-and-tissue-repository-at-michigan-state-university/how-to-submit-samples.
Ship all samples to:
Dr.Vilma Yuzbasian-Gurkan
2209 Biomedical Physical Sciences
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
What about using the MSU Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health?
Michigan State University has a world class veterinary diagnostic center, the Diagnostic Center for Population and
Animal Health (DCPAH). Because of their completeness, accuracy and quick turnaround times, we highly recommend using
DCPAH for diagnostic evaluation on all Berner tumors. Your veterinarian should know how to ship formalin fixed tissue
specimens for diagnosis. For more information, visit the DCPAH website:
www.animalhealth.msu.edu.
It is important to remember that the Repository stores samples for research and does not perform diagnoses. All
frozen tumor tissue must have an exact diagnosis associated with it either from DCPAH or another diagnostic lab
of your choice. Submission of DNA or frozen tissue to the Repository is subsidized by the BGF and BMDCA (owner
only pays for shipping) while the owner is responsible is responsible for all costs associated with diagnosis/necropsy.