The incredible relationship between dogs and people is being highlighted at the NI Science Festival Discover: Dogs this weekend.
Experts will reveal new science on the potential treatment of diabetes in dogs and how the similarities to humans could save lives.
The festival, dedicated to the impact of dogs on the world, is a free event at Queen’s University Belfast where some of the brightest minds working in canine research will explore a range of topics including genetics, healthcare and what it takes to become a service dog. Tickets are free and reservations are essential.
Libraries NI will be hosting its Dog Tales sessions, sharing much-loved stories featuring your favorite pets. There will be lots of information from Rosie’s Trust, Cavaliers in Need and the USPCA.
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The event includes a variety of interactive activities and exhibits, including demonstrations from guide dogs from Northern Ireland and PSNI.
The secret to dogs’ remarkable sense of smell will be revealed and Dr Neil Powell from Queen’s University Belfast will study whether and how untrained pet dogs can predict the onset of epileptic seizures through smell. they could be used as early warning systems for people living with epilepsy.
Researcher Tom Lewis will join the discussions with an online lecture to examine the attributes and characteristics that guide dogs look for in our dogs, and how these are affected by nature, drawing on genetics and education, based on training.
For more information and to book, visit nisciencefestival.com. All sessions will take place at the Peter Froggatt Centre, Queen’s University, 7 – 9 College Park E, Belfast BT7 1PS.
Discover the sessions below
Diabetes in Dogs and Humans
Saturday September 30.
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Diabetes affects 1 in 300 dogs and is fatal without insulin therapy. However, the risk of diabetes varies between breeds, with some breeds more susceptible than others. For example, Samoyeds are at high risk, Labrador retrievers are at moderate risk, and Boxers are at low risk.
Researchers have been studying the genetics of canine diabetes for several years. One of the key findings is a Labrador-specific mutation in the KCNJ11 gene. This gene plays an essential role in the regulation of insulin and mutations in this gene are one of the most common causes of neonatal diabetes in humans.
The good news is that this mutation could also open up new treatment possibilities. In humans, mutations can often be treated with oral sulfonylureas, which are pills that help the body produce more insulin. This means that it is possible that Labradors with this mutation will be treated with oral medications instead of insulin injections.
In this talk, Marsha Wallace of the Wellcome Center for Human Genetics shows how studying the genetics of complex diseases like canine diabetes can help us create targeted approaches to treating these conditions. By understanding the genetic factors that contribute to diabetes, scientists can develop new treatments that are more effective and less invasive.
Marsha Wallace, a geneticist and bioinformatician, works to understand the genetics behind complex diseases like cancer and diabetes. She received her PhD in genetics from Cornell University and her current work involves a partnership between the Wellcome Center of Human Genetics at the University of Oxford and the Royal Veterinary College. His research passion is diving into genomic data because it paints the bigger picture: mechanisms of disease susceptibility, drug resistance, and exploits to overcome disease. She is attracted to the avant-garde and fascinated by the blurred line between science and science fiction. For tickets click here.
Epilepsy detectors
Saturday September 30
11:45 a.m.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. Seizures can be unpredictable and have a significant impact on a person’s life. However, there is growing evidence that dogs can be trained to detect the onset of epileptic seizures and quickly warn their owners.
In this talk, Dr Neil Powell from Queen’s University Belfast investigates whether untrained pet dogs could predict, using their unique sense of smell, the onset of epileptic seizures and how they could be used as control systems. early warning for people with epilepsy. These and other findings could potentially help reduce the risk of injury and improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
Dr. Neil Powell is a retired high school science teacher and has volunteered with search and rescue dogs for over 40 years. He returned to Queen’s University Belfast in 2016 to begin doctoral studies investigating the role of dogs in predicting epileptic seizures. He is currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurology at Belfast HSC, exploring the possibility that epileptic seizures and non-epileptic psychogenic seizures produce a common pre-seizure odor that dogs can recognize and respond to. For tickets, click here.
What it takes to become a guide dog
Saturday September 30
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dogs are the oldest domesticated species on the planet and have accompanied humans since the Stone Age, creating a unique partnership. And the relationship between guide dogs and blind or visually impaired people embodies the depth and strength of this bond.
In this talk, Tom Lewis examines the attributes and characteristics that guide dogs look for in their dogs, and how these are affected by the dog’s nature, genetics and nurture, the training that the dog undergoes – all two being essential elements to becoming successful guides. How we attempt to influence nature or genetics through selective breeding, to improve the health and happiness of future generations of guide dogs, will be explored.
Tom spent over 15 years working in the field of canine genetics, including as a postdoctoral researcher at the Animal Health Trust, where his research included the genetics of hip and elbow dysplasia. At the Kennel Club he conducted investigations into the genetic diversity and common disorders of purebred dog breeds. He joined Guide Dogs in January 2021, becoming head of the breeding program in February 2023, where he leads the application of genetic research in breeding population management. For tickets, click here.
One health, one medicine
SATURDAY, September 30
3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
One Health examines how to balance the needs of people, animals and the environment while Simon Doherty discusses the concepts of One Health and One Medicine to illustrate how collaboration between scientific disciplines can provide solutions to some global challenges. Based at the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, Simon Doherty’s interests include livestock health and welfare, One Health and sustainability, and international trade and investment in the animal and veterinary health sectors. He is co-lead of the QUB OH Lab which studies the microbiome, AMR and One Health. Prior to his presidency of the British Veterinary Association in 2018/19, he was an animal health and aquaculture sector specialist for the UK Department for International Trade and has professional experience in veterinary practice, industry and the world university. He chaired the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe working group on food safety and sustainability and was founding chair of the UK One Health umbrella group. He was recently appointed trustee of Assisi Wildlife Sanctuary in County Down. For tickets, click here.
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