College of Veterinary Medicine

99 Lives Cat Initiative

Thank you for supporting the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing!

New goals for 2020 - 2021 – Help us raise $20,210 for cat research!

The 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative is a project that will read the entire DNA sequence of your cat’s 38 chromosomes! This data is used to identify DNA mutations causing interesting traits, like different coat colors and ear and tail types, or health problems. Healthy cats can participate to define the normal DNA sequence of different cat breeds and populations from around the world. The DNA from many wild felids, such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs, are also included. The many successes of the project are described in at least 14 scientific publications associated with the 99 Lives Cat Genome Project (See publication list on the lab website)! We have found many disease mutations such as blindness in Persians and Bengal cats, but also interesting phenotypic traits, like the Lykoi – werewolf cats and the Ticked mutation for Abyssinians and other breeds.

2020 - 2021 goals for the 99 Lives Project – your support is needed!

1. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) implies reading the complete DNA sequence of each of the 38 cat chromosomes (~2.6 gigabases of DNA). The costs for WGS has dropped drastically to now only $750.00 per cat! The more cats in the 99 Lives database – the more success we will have with health and interesting trait projects. Normal cats are important too. Please nominate a specific cat representing a breed for DNA sequencing (See breed list on lab website). These cats can have interesting traits, health problems or be perfectly normal! Please submit DNA from your cat and support the genome sequencing of its DNA for the 99 Lives Project. You can dedicate your donation to a specific cat, breed or project!
2. Please continue to support feline genetic research at the University of Missouri. Donations can be dedicated to a specific project. Active projects are listed on the lab website!

More details about the projects for the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative can be found on our website:

http://felinegenetics.missouri.edu/99lives

Cats Rule! – Thank you for your support!