Dr Eleanor Raffan

Canine and comparative genomics of metabolic disease

I am interested in how genes influence metabolism. In dogs, selective breeding has resulted an unusual genetic architecture which makes mapping disease associated loci remarkably tractable with much smaller numbers than in human populations. 

We study pet dogs and use comparative genomics to identify genes that are responsible for determining obesity susceptibility in dogs and humans. The mechanism of action and physiological consequences of variants of interest are tested in the lab in cellular models, and at a whole-dog level by examining their effect on eating behaviour and physiology.

Our overall aim is to better understand how genes link to obesity in both dogs and humans, in order to reveal mechanistic links and identify targets to improve obesity prevention and treatment.