New goals for 2023 – 2024

Thank you for supporting the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing!

Help us raise $21,000 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 scientific publications associated with the 99 Lives Cat Genome Project. 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.

The costs for WGS have drastically reduced and the University of Missouri has the computing facilities to help analyze your cat’s genome! The more cats in the 99 Lives database – the more success we will have with finding the DNA variant that causes health problems and interesting traits. Normal cats are important too. Please nominate a specific cat representing a breed for DNA sequencing (See breed list below). 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! Cheek (buccal) swab samples are always needed to help verify our discoveries – please continue to send in samples for cats this traits and health concerns.

Please see more on how to participate in cat research at this link.

Active projects include:

• Ragdolls – absent uterine horn and kidney
• Egyptian Maus – urate stones
• Transylvanian cats – defining the Karpati coloration and pattern
• Burmese – stretchy skin – Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
• Burmese – Feline oral-facial pain (FOP)
• Siberians – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• All cats – every cat – new heritable traits and diseases
• Amyloidosis (in collaboration with the University of Milan and others)
  • Abyssinians/Somalis and Siamese/Orientals

Cats Rule! – Thank you for your support!

99 Lives Associated Scientific Publications

Cat Breeds and Wild Felids in the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Project

Help us DNA sequence a representative from each cat breed & cat species!

Active Feline Genetics Projects
University of Missouri – College of Veterinary Medicine
Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory (The Lyons’ Den)

The Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory actively accepts DNA samples from cats from all over the world.  Active projects are developed once funding and continued support from the owners and breeders is obtained.  DNA samples are often shared with other researchers throughout the world.  DNA can be collected via buccal swabs, blood, or tissue samples, depending on the needs of the project.  Projects that require additional funding and support are listed below and new projects are always open for consideration.

Domestic Cat Projects

1. Silver coat color
2. PKD Progression
3. Amyloidosis in Siamese & Orientals
4. Amyloidosis in Abyssinians
5. Tail trait in ToyBobs
6. Dilated pupils in Korats
7. Absence of one uterine horn & kidney in Ragdolls
8. Urate stones in Egyptian Maus
9. Feline Oral Facial Pain (FOP in Burmese)
10. Cancer studies (Whole exome sequencing of normal – tumor DNA pairs)
11. New studies are always welcome!

Wild Felid Projects

1. Wildcat subspecies sequencing
2. Pallas’s Cats with polycystic kidney disease
3. Snow leopards with ocular colobomas
4. Lions with Vitamin A deficiency
5. Fishing cats with transition cell carcinoma
6. Black footed cats with amyloidosis
7. Amur leopard melanism screening
8. Black footed cat blindness screening

Genetic variation of captive tigers – with Tigers United Consortium