The domestic cat now joins the select club of mammals whose genome has been deciphered – including dogs, chimps, rats, mice, cows and people. The genome map is expected to shed light on both feline and human disease. Cats get hundreds of illnesses similar to human ones, including a feline version of HIV, known as FIV, and a hereditary form of blindness.
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Cats are among the 26 mammals chosen by the National Human Genome Research Institute in the US for less complete or “light” genome sequencing. Scientists use the so-called “shot-gun” sequencing method, where DNA is extracted, chopped into pieces, sequenced, and then pieced back together again.

It has yielded a rough version of the cat genome, including around 60% of Cinnamon’s DNA “letters” with many gaps in between. A more complete version, expected next year, will be used to make more detailed comparisons with other animals.