U of L awarded $155K grant to map disease genes in horses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The University of Louisville has been awarded a $155,000 grant to map disease genes in horses.

The Morris Animal Foundation gave the three-year grant to a team of Kentucky and Danish researchers to build a new reference genome sequence for the domestic horse.

Researchers say the sequence will help them and the equine industry because it will improve the ability to understand the role of genetics in animal health and well-being.

Genome sequencing allows researchers to read and decipher genetic information found in DNA and is important in mapping disease genes — discovering the diseases a horse might be genetically predisposed to developing.

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