Funding Our Future Presentation

Yes, we will continue to archive samples, for as long as the Genetics Centre continues to operate. For more information please contact us.

All the DNA samples that were held at AHT were transferred to Cambridge. All breeds are welcome to add samples to this bank, for as long as the Genetics Centre continues to operate. For more information please contact us.

The redistribution of samples in the event the Genetics Centre does not survive long-term, has not been discussed at this stage. For the sample bank to be maintained, and used to its full potential to benefit all dogs, it is essential that the Centre continues to operate.

We share DNA samples with any bone fide researchers who are willing to collaborate with us to investigate an inherited disease in dogs. Members of the KCGC typically are listed as co-authors on any subsequent publications. An example is the recent publication describing a variant in Weimaraner Dogs that causes an exercise-induced paroxysmal movement Disorder https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.29391

Hereditary glaucoma is a disease we are still investigating, although at present we are focusing on Basset Hounds. But we welcome the submission of samples from dogs of any breed that are affected with PLD and/or primary open or closed glaucoma.

We operate an in-house genetic testing service: https://www.cagt.co.uk. One way for stakeholders to support the Genetics Centre is to use this service for their DNA testing needs as all profits are used to fund our research. If your breed uses a test that CAGT does not currently offer, please contact us – we are always happy to discuss adding new tests to our portfolio.

We operate an in-house genetic testing service, Canine Genetic Testing: https://www.cagt.co.uk. One way for stakeholders to support the Genetics Centre is to use this service for their DNA testing needs as all profits are used to fund our research. If your breed uses a test that CAGT does not currently offer, please contact us – we are always happy to discuss adding new tests to our portfolio.

We appreciate that Breed Clubs will need to take this request to their committees, and that for some it will not be possible to make a decision within the six week timeframe. We are investigating all corporate avenues that seem appropriate but, in reality, it will take a similar timeframe for a corporate plug to come into effect, as companies will have similar processes to negotiate. That is why we hope that individuals will consider donating, and indeed a few have done so already. Letters of intent from Breed Clubs, to confirm that they are at least considering making a donation would also be useful, and would help convince the University of Cambridge that the Genetics Centre has the backing of canine stakeholders.

We do not patent any of our research findings. It is technically difficult to do, and we do not consider it to be in the best interests of dogs, preferring to subject our findings to peer-review and place them in the public domain.

We are having early conversations with a small number of corporate institutions. We are also seeking advice on the best way to extend these discussions and would welcome approaches from any companies would might be interested in supporting the Genetics Centre.

The majority of our research identifies genetic variants that form the basis of genetics tests that breeders use to reduce the frequency of the disease variants in populations at risk. We offer genetic tests for all the variants that we identify, via our in-house genetic testing service, Canine Genetic Testing: https://www.cagt.co.uk. One way for stakeholders to support the Genetics Centre is to use this service for their DNA testing needs as all profits are used to fund our research

We are having early conversations with a small number of corporate institutions. We are also seeking advice on the best way to extend these discussions and would welcome approaches from any companies would might be interested in supporting the Genetics Centre.

Our current employment costs for the 12-month period from the end of March are approximately £418,000, for which there is a shortfall of £345,000 (as I detailed in my presentation). In addition we need to pay for consumables (some of which are covered by the grants we have been awarded), computing costs and attendance at scientific conferences. So whereas £345,000 is the requirement to retain all the current research team for a year, a figure of £500,000 would place us in a very comfortable position for the next twelve months.

Our current employment costs for the 12-month period from the end of March are approximately £418,000, for which there is a shortfall of £345,000 (as I detailed in my presentation). In addition we need to pay for consumables (some of which are covered by the grants we have been awarded), computing costs and attendance at scientific conferences. So whereas £345,000 is the requirement to retain all the current research team for a year, a figure of £500,000 would place us in a very comfortable position for the next twelve months.

No we do not – we consider the best way to benefit dogs is to share and collaborate freely with other researchers around the world, and in return we benefit from the expertise and findings of others.

We consider is to be a crowdfunding exercise, albeit one that is targeting people with an interest in breeding and owning healthy dogs.

Cathryn will be at Crufts representing the Canine Genetic Centre, sharing a stand with Canine Genetic Testing, who will be selling DNA tests and are covering the costs.

Absolutely! Our hope is that individuals as well as Breed Clubs and Societies will make contributions to help support the Genetics Centre. We believe that the broader the funding base is, the more secure the Centre will be. So a large number of smaller donations could work just as well as fewer larger contribution. Every little helps.

This is a great suggestion – how would we go about investigating this possibility? Please let us know.

Thank you for this suggestion – we will give it some serious thought.

Whole genome sequencing of additional breeds is certainly something we could consider. The first phase of GDG benefitted from matched costs from the Kennel Club, which reduced the cost to each breed. Matched funds would not be available from the KC going forwards (we imagine) but genome sequencing costs have reduced since the first phase of GDG – so if this would be of interest to breeds please let us know.

We are potentially able to apply to BBSCR , MRC, Wellcome etc. The challenge is that most of the team, including myself, do not have contracts beyond March 2024 and the University does not permit us to apply for grants that extend beyond our contracts. This is one of the reasons why we need funds to secure our staff on a longer term basis.

We are potentially able to apply to BBSCR , MRC, Wellcome etc. The challenge is that most of the team, including myself, do not have contracts beyond March 2024 and the University does not permit us to apply for grants that extend beyond our contracts. This is one of the reasons why we need funds to secure our staff on a longer term basis.

We are potentially able to apply to BBSCR , MRC, Wellcome etc. The challenge is that most of the team, including myself, do not have contracts beyond March 2024 and the University does not permit us to apply for grants that extend beyond our contracts. This is one of the reasons why we need funds to secure our staff on a longer term basis.

We applied for grants totalling £970,000. The grants we were awarded total £221,925, of which £73,000 can be used for salaries, the rest being for consumables. The other, unsuccessful applications ranged from £25,000- £200,000

The KCGC was formally founded in 2009, although the AHT had been undertaking canine genetics research prior to that. Our current annual running costs are about £500,000 per year. The genetic testing market is a busy place, so we have to keep the costs of our tests within a competitive range.

Yes, the initial £750k was for five years. The KC subsequently extended funding for five years (2014 – 2019), and again from 2019 – 2022. The latter period was interrupted by covid and our move to Cambridge, so was was extended until March 2023. The KCCT provided £320k of funding for the twelve month period that is ending in March.

We will make every effort to utilise all donations to keep the Genetics Centre operational. However, in the event that the centre has to close all remaining donations will be used by the University for the benefit of dog health and welfare.

Our current establishment is the University of Cambridge, who will hold all donations for us. The University has been in existence for 800 years, and the expectation is that it is sufficiently stable to outlive us all.

Our aim is to secure alternative sponsorship for the Genetics Centre that will provide a more stable footing moving forwards. However, as we have experienced, even long term support can end, because the strategies and funding priorities of institutions change over time. So we truly believe that the continued support of our grass root stakeholders will be crucial for the long term stability of our research group.

We will keep our website updated with our fundraising progress, including if/when we reach our target.

Absolutely. The figure of £1,500 is being used as a reference point for the approximate amount that each breed would need to contribute if all breeds contributed, and that we did not receive any additional donations, from individuals for example. But we are not concerned with how the donations are made up – and donations from individuals as well as Clubs are equally welcome.

Our immediate need is for funds to support the core employment costs. However, once this emergency period has been navigated it will certainly be possible to provide funds for breed specific projects, including the support of a PhD student.

Our aim is to secure alternative sponsorship for the Genetics Centre that will provide a more stable footing moving forwards. However, as we have experienced, even long term support can end, as the strategies and funding priorities of institutions change over time. So we truly believe that the continued support of our grass root stakeholders will be crucial for the long term stability of our research group.

Thank you for your kind words. The figure of £1,500 is being used as a reference point for the amount that each breed would need to contribute if all breeds contributed, and that we did not receive any additional donations, from individuals for example. We fully appreciate that not all breeds will be willing, or able to contribute £1,500 so we would ask breed groups to consider this as a starting point – we would, of course, welcome larger donations wherever possible.

We needed to wait to hear the outcome of all our grant applications before we knew how much the shortfall would be, and that did not happen until well into December. In addition, our expectation was that the KCCT would be able to make a contribution to the costs of the Genetics Centre. We learned only recently that they were also unable to support us beyond March 2024 and this explains the short timeline.

The figure of £1,500 is being used as a reference point for the amount that each breed would need to contribute if all breeds contributed, and that we did not receive any additional donations, from individuals for example. We fully appreciate that not all breeds will be willing, or able to contribute £1,500 so we would ask breed groups to consider this as a starting point – we would, of course, welcome larger donations wherever possible. We will make every effort to utilise all donations to keep the Genetics Centre operational. However, in the event that the centre has to close all remaining donations will be used by the University for the benefit of dog health and welfare.

We do not anticipate an increase in the costs of sample collection in the immediate term. Our research depends on sample collection, so keeping that affordable is a priority.

Unfortunately if we do not raise a significant proportion of the shortfall by the end of February, or have evidence that sufficient donations will be forthcoming, the University will issue redundancy notices to the relevant staff members.

This is a great idea that is being explored.

We agree, and our aim is to secure alternative sponsorship for the Genetics Centre that will provide a more stable footing moving forwards. However, as we have experienced, even long term support can end, as the strategies and funding priorities of institutions change over time. So we truly believe that the continued support of our grass root stakeholders will be crucial for the long term stability of our research group.

Our aim is to secure alternative sponsorship for the Genetics Centre that will provide a more stable footing moving forwards, and all avenues are being, or will be explored. However, as we have experienced, even long term support can end, because the strategies and funding priorities of institutions change over time. So we truly believe that the continued support of our grass root stakeholders will be crucial for the long term stability of our research group.

We also like this idea, but its implementation would rest with the KC.

Unfortunately we were not part of the discussions surrounding the KC’s decision to use an overseas provider for their DNA testing service. But yes, a collaboration of this nature could have, potentially, generated revenue to support the Genetics Centre

The KC has stated it will fund specific projects, such as BOAS and IVDD. Jane Ladlow does have funding from the KC to support her BOAS research, and the Vet School also has some limited funds for the KC/KCCT to support the IVDD research, with which we are involved. However none of these funds are available to support members of the Genetics Centre.

We think this is great idea and is exactly the sort of funding we could benefit from. However this decision would lie with the KC.

We think this is great idea and is exactly the sort of funding we could benefit from. However this decision would lie with the KC.

We think this is great idea and is exactly the sort of funding we could benefit from. However this decision would lie with the KC.

The name of the Genetics Centre will almost certainly change to reflect its financial support and we will be discussing this with the KC in due course

The name of the Genetics Centre will almost certainly change to reflect its financial support and we will be discussing this with the KC in due course

The name of the Genetics Centre will almost certainly change to reflect its financial support and we will be discussing this with the KC in due course

The immediate need is for funds to retain the staff. We operate as a team, and need everyone’s expertise. Without the staff all areas of our research are potentially vulnerable

There are other research groups around the world that undertake canine genetic research. However different groups tend to have different areas of expertise and interests, so not all our current projects will be of interest to other groups. And other groups would almost certainly need funding to take over our projects.

All the samples that were held at the AHT were transferred to Cambridge and are safe. We have not sequenced the genome of a Spanish Water dog to date, but that could certainly be discussed.

We have sequenced the genomes of two Welsh Springer Spaniels, and are currently trying to raise funds to sequence more, to investigate a potential new and emerging neurological disorder that has come to our attention. I sent an email about this to the WSS BHC recently, but would be happy to provide more details if of interest.

We are not aware of any funding from the KC for this disease. Perhaps it was provided to Dr Penny Watson?

Unfortunately if we do not raise a significant proportion of the shortfall by the end of February, or have evidence that sufficient donations will be forthcoming, the University will issue redundancy notices to the relevant staff members. At this point much of our research will cease.

On our website, at https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/research-overview/.

Inherited eye diseases remain one of our major interests and all the samples we hold, that have been submitted for eye disease investigations are safe. Hereditary cataract has proved challenging to investigate, but we have made progress recently with one group of breeds, and hope to publish that work very soon.

On our website, at https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/research-overview/.

Thank you for this comment. We believe all dogs, regardless of whether they belong to numerically large or small breed populations, should benefit from our research. In fact, published data demonstrates that the breeders of numerically small breeds are more likely to implement DNA testing in their breeding programmes than breeders of numerically large breeds. And our own experience is that small breeds are just as likely to engage with, and help to finance, research as the larger ones. So we will continue to continue all our research projects equally, regardless of how many dogs will benefit from it.

Unfortunately if we do not raise a significant proportion of the shortfall by the end of February, or have evidence that sufficient donations will be forthcoming, the University will issue redundancy notices to the relevant staff members. At this point much of our research will cease.

We are not currently undertaking any research with the KC

If we can retain the Genetics Centre staff all current research will continue.

The genome sequencing that was paid for by the Give a Dog a Genome has now been completed. We utilise the sequence data on an almost daily basis, for all of our ongoing research projects. In addition, we have placed the sequence data in the public domain so it is available to researchers globally.

Thank you for this comment. We believe all dogs, regardless of whether they belong to numerically large or small breed populations, should benefit from our research. In fact, published data demonstrates that the breeders of numerically small breeds are more likely to implement DNA testing in their breeding programmes than breeders of numerically large breeds. And our own experience is that small breeds are just as likely to engage with, and help to finance, research as the larger ones. So we will continue to continue all our research projects equally, regardless of how many dogs will benefit from it.

No, we do not have charitable status.

Our Dogs is aware of our situation, and reported on their front page last week. I will keep them fully appraised of our progress.

Currently we do not have any PG students. Because so few of the team, including myself, do not have positions beyond March I am reluctant to take on any PG students, and indeed the University will not let us apply for grants that would extend beyond our current contracts.

None whatsoever, please share far and wide.