The companion dog: a powerful model for understanding somatic mutation, disease and aging

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the significance and importance of utilizing the domesticated dog as both a resource for large data and genomic analysis. I first reviewed the uses of canine data, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of various datasets for research. I next utilized Duplex Sequencing technology to identify rare mutations in healthy dogs. I also investigated the age-related presence of mutational signatures based on the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC). This dissertation will help the reader understand the potential of the companion dog model in general, as well as the usefulness of new technologies in DNA sequencing to understand aging.