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Horse Breeding Associations Support Genetic Research on PSSM2
Vechta, GermanyPSSM2 (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy Type 2) is a much discussed topic. Now the horse breeding associations for Holstein, Trakehner, Hanoverian, Oldenburg and Westphalia want to make genetic material available for research purposes to a project of the International Association of Future Horse Breeding GmbH & Co KG (IAFH).Muscle wasting, lameness, stiff gait, ataxia – PSSM2 has many symptoms, and probably more causes. The muscle disease is moving more and more into focus (we deal with it in detail in the May issue of St.GEORG). Now, for the first time, there is a joint initiative by the four largest breeding associations and the Trakehners.It’s about providing genetic data for research. For this purpose, the International Association of Future Horse Breeding GmbH & Co KG (IAFH), founded in Vechta in 2017 and based there, will cooperate with the licensee of the European patent for EquiSeq’s PSSM2 test panel, Generatio GmbH – Center for Animal Genetics.PSSM2 only occurs in older horses, which is why the associations involved find it important to investigate this hereditary disease first in the joint project. The research activities are to be coordinated by the data experts of the VIT (United Information Systems for Animal Husbandry) in Verden.Differentiated molecular…
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EquiSeq’s Chief Scientific Officer Speaks to Entrepreneurs
Albuquerque, New Mexico Paul Szauter, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of EquiSeq, will present via Zoom at One Million Cups in Albuquerque on Wednesday, January 20, at 9:00 am MST. The format is a six-minute presentation followed by twenty minutes of questions and discussion. The presentation is open to the public via Zoom. Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed One Million Cups in 2012 – a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, One Million Cups has grown to more than 160 communities. As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, One Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Dr. Szauter founded EquiSeq in 2015 with no background in business. He was introduced to Albuquerque’s entrepreneurial community when he won a pitch competition in September 2014. He completed the ABQid Accelerator program in 2015. After a couple of years of regularly attending One Million Cups Albuquerque, he became one of the group’s volunteer organizers, recruiting and coaching other entrepreneurs. Dr. Szauter has…
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Generatio GmbH – Center for Animal Genetics Adds P8 and K1 Tests
Tubingen, Germany Generatio GmbH – Center for Animal Genetics (CAG) has added the P8 variant of PYROXD1 and the K1 variant of COL6A3 to its Variant Panel. These tests are now available to horse owners in the EU and UK. The launch followed licensing of these tests from EquiSeq. Generatio GmbH – Center for Animal Genetics (CAG) has the exclusive rights to these tests in the EU and UK. For horses already tested for P2 (MYOT), P3 (FLNC), P4 (MYOZ3), and Px (CACNA2D3), a test for P8 (PYROXD1) and K1 (COL6A3) is available. Horse owners in the EU and UK can order the 6-Variant Panel online from the Animal Trust Center (ATC).
News
Podcast and Videos Explore Muscle Disease
Albuquerque, New Mexico July 2020 was a great month for horse owners seeking to understand muscle disease. Eden River Equestrian interviewed Paul Szauter, EquiSeq’s Chief Scientific Officer, for episode 86 of their Come Along for the Ride podcast. In the interview, Dr. Szauter talked about the effects of the genetic variants that are included in EquiSeq’s Myopathy Panel, with an emphasis on symptoms that will be evident to horse owners. He specifically recommended a video on PSSM & MFM Symptoms at canter by Christine Lola Mahon of the PSSM & MFM Awareness Group on Facebook. After the podcast was aired, Christine Lola Mahon posted a detailed video showing the progression of PSSM2/MFM, The Harsh Reality of PSSM2. The Equine Extension Program at the University of Minnesota hosted a set of four seminars by Dr. Molly McCue of the Equine Genetics and Genomics Laboratory. The seminars were held as Facebook Live events. Horse owners watching in real time were able to post questions and comments. The seminars are available as Facebook videos as listed below. Part 1 Introduction to Muscle Disease Part 2 PSSM Part 3 RER & MFM Part 4 HYPP & IMM Dr. McCue encouraged horse owners to participate in the University of Minnesota muscle disease study. Please see their FAQs or contact…
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EquiSeq’s Kirsten Dimmler Accepted to PhD Program at the University of Minnesota
Albuquerque, NM Kirsten Dimmler, a Bioinformatics Analyst at EquiSeq, has accepted an offer of admission to graduate school in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Kirsten will be entering the laboratory of Dr. Molly McCue, a leading veterinary expert in the field of equine genetics and genomics. Her admission to graduate school was originally scheduled for the fall of 2020, but has been deferred to January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirsten began her career at EquiSeq with an internship while still an undergraduate biology major at the University of New Mexico. Following her graduation with a B.S. in Biology in December 2017, she began work at EquiSeq in bioinformatics. Her research involved evaluating potentially pathogenic mutations discovered in whole genome sequence data from horses with symptoms of exercise intolerance. The work led to a patent filing and the development of commercial genetic tests for horses. Kirsten was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has a passion for animals and had a goal of one day becoming a veterinarian. She purchased her first horse, an Appendix Quarter Horse mare named Esperanza, as a teenager and went on to compete in hunter/jumper with her….
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University of Minnesota Opens Study of Genetic Basis of Muscle Disorders in Horses
Saint Paul, Minnesota The Equine Genetics and Genomics Laboratory at the University of Minnesota is conducting a study using 3,000+ horses to study the genetic mechanisms behind different muscle disorders in horses and how diet and exercise may impact these disorders. The results of this study will provide veterinarians, researchers, and horse owners with information on genetic and management factors that influence muscle disease and aid in developing treatment strategies for muscle disease in individual horses. This will be the largest study of muscle disease ever conducted in the horse. To make this unprecedented study happen, we need help from the owners of horses affected by muscle disease. For more information about the study, FAQs, and detailed instructions about how to participate, please visit our study website . To contribute to this important effort owners will to need to: 1) Provide information in our Muscle Disease in Horses survey for a horse on your property with suspected or diagnosed muscle disease. 2) Provide the same information in the same survey for another horse of similar age and breed on your property without suspected or diagnosed muscle disease. Here is the survey . 3) Upload photos, videos, blood test results with creatine kinase (CK) and…
News
EquiSeq adds P8 and K1 to Myopathy Panel
Fayetteville, AR At the Al Khamsa Annual Meeting and Convention today in Fayetteville, Arkansas, EquiSeq announced that it has added the P8 and K1 tests to the Myopathy Panel at no extra cost. EquiSeq’s Myopathy Panel, priced at $249, now includes tests for P2, P3, P4, Px, P8, and K1. The P8 and K1 genetic variants are missense alleles of undisclosed genes of known function. P8 and K1 are known to be pathogenic as a result of EquiSeq’s internal validation process. The genes will be disclosed in a peer-reviewed scientific publication. The P8 genetic variant is prevalent in Arabians, but has also be found in Thoroughbreds, stock breeds (Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas), Icelandics, and other breeds. The K1 genetic variant is prevalent in Arabians, but has also been found in Morgans, American Miniatures, Haflingers, and Standardbreds. It is rare in stock breeds (Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas) and appears to be absent in Thoroughbreds. Tests for the P8 and K1 genetic variants will be included at no extra cost in EquiSeq’s Myopathy Panel through January 31, 2020. After that, the price of the Myopathy Panel will increase to $299.
News
UNM Alumni Magazine Features EquiSeq
FASTER HORSES EquiSeq decodes equine genetics for better health and performanceBy Leslie Linthicum At the core of most living things is the genome, the package of genetic materials stored in long molecules of DNA. It’s what makes a person, a whale or a blob of algae grow and develop different characteristics. And it is at the core of developing more effective disease treatments and cures. Scientists around the world have collaborated to map the human genome and continue to work in laboratories to tease out longer pieces of DNA and more complete genomes and to apply genomic discoveries to helping mankind. UNM Professor Jeremy Edwards and retired biology Professor Paul Szauter pursue those ideals, but they also apply those same scientific questions and techniques to horses. Partners in the Albuquerque-based startup EquiSeq, they have already patented and licensed four genetic tests that will allow breeders to screen for common but devastating muscle diseases in horses. And they have hit on a trade secret that could revolutionize Thoroughbred racehorse breeding. It began with a simple question: What made Secretariat, the fastest horse in racing history, run so fast? The answer is that his heart was more than twice the size of…
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Center for Animal Genetics licenses new genetic tests for horses from EquiSeq
Tuebingen CAG GmbH – Center for Animal Genetics has signed an agreement with EquiSeq to be the exclusive testing center for their Equine Myopathy Panel in Europe. Horse owners can now test their animals without requiring an invasive blood draw or muscle biopsy. Equine Myopathy Panel tests for mutations in three genes associated with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy type 2 (PSSM2) and a mutation in one gene associated with Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER). These mutations have been detected in affected horses of many breeds, including Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Arabians, Gaited Horses, Draft Horses, and many pony breeds. Affected horses often do not show symptoms until they have already been used for breeding or have had many years of investment in training. Using genetic testing, owners and breeders can identify an affected horse prior to breeding or extensive training for sport. Veterinarians and other horse health professionals can make specific diagnoses and management plans. Although the diseases cannot be cured, a horse’s quality of life can be substantially improved with a correct diagnosis and the development of an appropriate management plan. More information about the disease and tests can be found on the CAG website . Tests can be ordered and paid for…
News
EquiSeq Names New CEO, Signs Licensing Deal with CAG.
By Collin Krabbe – Technology reporter , Albuquerque Business FirstJul 23, 2018, 2:33pm MDT Albuquerque-based biotechnology company EquiSeq has been busy with two new developments: the hire of a new chief executive and a fresh licensing agreement. Alex Hafez is the firm’s new CEO. He is pursuing a dual-degree from the University of New Mexico in business administration and biomedical science. “I think research is really interesting… [but] I’m more interested in management of biotech companies,” Hafez said. “Growing up, I’ve always found myself in positions of leadership.” The 26-year-old Oregon native said being educated in both the business and science fields gives him a different perspective on the cost of conducting research and development for a private company. The new CEO will not earn a salary in his new position, but will rather be given an undisclosed amount of equity in the company. Business First reported in January that the firm’s previous CEO, Lexi Palmer stepped down due to concerns about the distribution of funds in Albuquerque’s startup scene. Hafez said his appointment comes at an exciting time for EquiSeq, which produces genetic tests for horses. The firm just entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Germany’s Center for…
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News
Canada issues patent on EquiSeq DNA tests
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO EquiSeq announced today that Canada has issued a patent on…
News
Generatio Scientist Visits EquiSeq
Dr. Melissa Cox, a scientist at Generatio, visited with Chief Scientific Officer Dr….
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Free Testing for Standardbreds and Haflingers
Albuquerque, New Mexico A collaborative research team assembled by researchers at EquiSeq will…
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Paul Szauter Invited to Speak at Genome Sciences Symposium
Seattle, WA Paul Szauter, EquiSeq’s Chief Scientific Officer, has been invited to speak…
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Free Testing Expands Standardbred Genetics Research
Albuquerque, New Mexico EquiSeq has expanded its research program on the genetics of…
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Connemara Pony PSSM Research Group Partners with Generatio GmbH
Bergen, Norway The Connemara Pony PSSM Research Group is now registered as a…
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EquiSeq CEO Departs to Head Circular Genomics
Albuquerque, New Mexico Dr. Alex Hafez, CEO of EquiSeq, left his position in…
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EquiSeq and Haw Creek Animal Hospital Raise $10,000 for Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue
Peralta, New Mexico Paul Szauter, EquiSeq’s Chief Scientific Officer, attended an event at Wilderwood…
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EquiSeq and Haw Creek Animal Hospital Join Fundraiser for Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue
Albuquerque, New Mexico EquiSeq and Haw Creek Animal Hospital will join a charity fundraising effort…
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German Warmblood Associations Include Testing for EquiSeq Genetic Variants in Genotyping Platform
Albuquerque, New Mexico The International Association of Future Horse Breeding (IAFH), a group…