# Enhancing the power of genomic analysis in the Dog Aging Project

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2020 · $167,500

## Abstract

Abstract
Canine genomic resources have improved substantially since inception of the Dog Aging Project (DAP),
including the recent release of a new, high-contiguity canine reference genome. DAP's current sequencing
strategy – low-pass sequencing followed by imputation – is inexpensive and provides the high density of
genomic variant calls needed for well-powered genome-wide association studies. However, it relies on
imputation of single nucleotide variants (SNPs) and short indels, an approach which may miss specific variants
that are of particular interest as causal candidates. Most notably, larger-scale structural variants (SVs), some
already causally associated with canine traits, cannot be accurately discerned without additional sequencing.
We propose to update DAP processes to yield far more complete genetic information for each dog sequenced,
at no additional cost per dog. Our specific aims include: (1) expand and improve the existing canine imputation
panel, using the latest canine genome reference and additional canine samples; (2) develop a structural
variant imputation panel to support the imputation of canine structural variants from canine short variants; (3)
integrate targeted high-coverage sequencing into the low-pass sequencing process, allowing us to directly call
variants at high-priority loci without imputation, and improve our sensitivity to rare and even de novo variants.
Collectively, these improvements will allow the Dog Aging Project to more effectively identify genes, regulatory
regions and specific variants associated with longevity and age-related disease. By also sharing these
improvements with the canine research community, we will support ongoing studies into a broad range of
age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, organ failure, and cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10224459
- **Project number:** 3U19AG057377-03S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Edward Promislow
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $167,500
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10224459

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10224459, Enhancing the power of genomic analysis in the Dog Aging Project (3U19AG057377-03S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10224459. Licensed CC0.

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