Andrea Slavney, PhD

Scientist

Andrea Slavney, PhD

Andrea Slavney, PhD is a Senior Research Scientist at Embark, where she drives insights from complex biological datasets. She has been involved in making several discoveries at Embark, including mapping genetic loci underlying blue eyes, red pigment intensity, and the roan coat pattern.

Prior to working at Embark, Dr. Slavney received her BS in Genetics and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and her PhD in Genetics, Genomics, & Development from Cornell University. Her doctoral work focused on the evolution of gene expression on the mammalian X chromosome, and the role of the X chromosome in disease.

Of all the species she’s worked with, dogs are definitely her favorite.

All work

Go to "The Science Behind Allergy Risk Scores" article
How Dog DNA Testing Works

The Science Behind Allergy Risk Scores

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Allergies are one of the top reported health concerns for pet owners, affecting about 20% of dogs. Because allergy symptoms vary widely, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of a dog’s allergic reaction. Now, Embark offers a new genetic result that tells pet owners about their dog’s genetic risk for allergies as a...

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Go to "Red Pigment Intensity Test Added to Embark for Breeders Kit" article
Coat Genetics

Red Pigment Intensity Test Added to Embark for Breeders Kit

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Embark offers the coat color trait test for red pigment intensity. Red pigment intensity is the concentration of red pigment (pheomelanin) in a dog’s hair, which produces colors ranging from light cream (like a West Highland Terrier) to deep red (like an Irish Setter). About the Red Pigment Intensity Test Intensity is not controlled by...

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Go to "What is the A locus?" article
Coat Genetics

What is the A locus?

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The “A locus” is the name for the DNA sequence that makes up the agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) gene, which is located on chromosome 24 in the dog genome. This gene contains instructions to make a protein (ASIP) that acts as a molecular switch: when ASIP is present, it tells hair cells to produce the red/yellow...

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