• Animal Genome Institute

    The Animal Genome Institute (AGI) is committed to improving the care of animals and their companion humans through genomics research. AGI also strives to train a new generation of scientists interested in genomics.

    AGI is designated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization by the IRS. AGI is a volunteer-run organization.

     

    We care about animals and their companion humans! ❤

    We find life’s mystery in genomes ❤

    We educate next-generation scientists ❤

  • Projects

     

    Cat IBD

    Current methods for diagnosing IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) in cats are often lengthy and invasive. Early detection of gut inflammation is essential for preventing and managing the disease. BanBan, my beloved companion, suffered from IBD for nearly six years before crossing the rainbow bridge in 2012. In her memory, AGI is committed to fighting IBD in cats.

     

    We are developing a better way to detect gut inflammation early. RNA, a genetic molecule found in bodily fluids like stool, reflects the health status of organs. We recently published our first paper on the "Poopex" RNA biomarker in a mouse IBD model in exRNA and are now expanding the study to cats with IBD.

     

    Check out our study: PoopexRNA biomarker in IBD Cats.

     

    We are still seeking more participants for the cat study. If your cat has been diagnosed with IBD (or gut lymphoma), please consider donating a stool sample for our research! It's as simple as you fill out the consent form (we will provide once we confirm your eligibility), and we will send you a mailing envelope for you to return the sample to us. Upon completion of the sample submission and providing relevant health information and consent form, we will send you a $25 gift card of your choice—either Amazon or Chewy—as a token of our appreciation.

     

    Please reach out to info@animalgenomeinstitute.org if you would like to participate!

    Dog Osteosarcoma

    A close human friend of ours tragically lost her son to pediatric osteosarcoma, a rare and often fatal cancer. Due to the limited number of cases in humans, research into the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric osteosarcoma remains challenging. However, previous studies have shown that osteosarcomas in dogs are genetically similar to those in children and occur much more frequently. Advancing research in the diagnosis and treatment of canine osteosarcomas will benefit both our canine companions and children affected by this devastating disease.

     

    We have conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of dog and human osteosarcomas. The results are currently being prepared for scientific publication, so please stay tuned!

  • Shop Now

    All profits will be donated to the research operation of AGI

    Genomics sample processing

    Genomics sample processing

    $250.00
    We’re here to support your project too! We offer sample processing services for body fluids, tissues, stool, and environmental materials for a variety of genomic analyses, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and qPCR. Pricing is an estimate for a typical NGS sample or qPCR project. Contact us for more details, and we’ll tailor our services to fit your specific project needs.
    Quantity
    Coming soon
    Bioinformatics analysis

    Bioinformatics analysis

    $30.00
    We’re here to support your project too! We offer custom bioinformatics analysis services tailored to your scientific needs. Pricing is based on the time spent, with an hourly rate of $30. Contact us to discuss your project and get a personalized quote.
    Quantity
    Coming soon
  • Please support us!

  • Members

    Scientists and Veterinary Clinitians

    Yuka Imamura, PhD

    Founder & President

     Yuka has more than 20 years of experience in genomics and bioinformatics across both academic and private research institutions. Raised on a farm in rural Japan, Yuka has long been passionate about improving animal lives and agricultural productivity through her expertise in genomics and bioinformatics. In 2019, she founded the Animal Genome Institute (AGI) to further this mission. Yuka is dedicated to supporting and educating next generation of animal/science lovers, contributing to the well-being of both animals and their human companions. She has also served as a faculty member at Penn State University College of Medicine for over 10 years. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at local shelters, farms, and cat cafes.

    Milena Bogunovic, MD, PhD

    Advisory Board

    Milena is a leading investigator of immunology, now appointed as an Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School, with a great interest in understanding how coordinated efforts of enteric immune and nervous systems maintain intestinal homeostasis and infection control, and how the dysbiosis in each system may lead to the development of inflammatory gut conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). She has been a collaborator and a friend of Yuka since she worked as an Assistant Professor at Penn State University College of Medicine and their collaborative paper was recently published in Science Immunology (PMID: 32276965).

    Tomoko Takahashi, PhD, DVM

    Advisory Board

    Tomoko is an Assistant Professor at School of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Science at Osaka Metroplitan University, Japan. Her interest is in radiation therapy for the cancer of cats and dogs. She is also a member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. Not only Tomoko is specialized in cancer therapy in cats and dogs, she sees a broad spectrum of complications in veterinary medicine, including IBD.

    Kazuki Heishima, DVM, PhD, RPS, DJCVP

    Advisory Board

    Kazuki is a researcher of comparative oncology and translational research, appointed as an Assistant Professor at Gifu University, Japan. His research interest is focused on developing novel therapeutic agents and low-invasive biomarkers using miRNAs for human/canine osteosarcoma (PMID: 30683101) and hemangiosarcoma (PMID: 28536479, PMID: 26335793). Kazuki is a collaborator of Yuka, and fully supports her activities.

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  • CONTACT US

    We are currently accepting research analysis requests! We can also provide advice to those who want to study NGS. Please feel free to contact us!

    Animal Genome Institute
    20 N. Palmyra Rd., #505
    Campbelltown PA 17010
    717-454-4211