Gluck Center > Directory > Gluck Faculty >Lear, T > Research Interests
RESEARCH INTERESTSUnderstanding the Evolution of Genome Organization of
the Horse
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Teri Lear, PhD
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Our research is leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the rapid chromosome and genome evolution of the equids, how speciation occurs, and potentially how genomic differences enable some exotic equid species to avoid serious infection by certain disease pathogens, while infection in horses in often fatal (Myka et al. 2003a, 2003b). Recently, in collaboration with the genetics group at Conservation for Research on Endangered Species (CRES) of the San Diego Zoological Society, we have characterized the chromosomes of endangered rhinoceros species by molecular cytogenetics. This research has identified a very high degree of genome conservation among all rhinoceros species and that centromere shifts have contributed to chromosome evolution in Perissodactyls. We are now studying the genome organization of tapirs.
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 Indian Rhinoceros at San Diego Zoo. Photo courtesy of Dr. Mike Mienaltowski.
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Maxwell H.Gluck Equine Research Center
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0099
Main Office (859) 257-4757
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