Mimi Padmabandu

In 2017, Dr. Bill Ballard at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia won a competition to sequence the “world’s most interesting” genome. His choice? The dingo, an ancient dog population found in Australia.  Specifically, they sequenced the DNA of a desert dingo named Sandy. This work created the first full Australian dingo genome, published in...

You loved when we decoded Clifford, the Big Red Dog. So today, we’re decoding Scooby-Doo, the famous super-sleuthing, mystery-solving cartoon dog. Scooby-Doo is the iconic titular dog from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? He rides around in the Mystery Machine van with his friends Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy as they look for...

When she brought Molly to the veterinarian for a regular physical exam, Sue Benner didn’t expect to find a genetic health risk. That surprise finding may have saved Molly’s life. Sue took Molly, her 4-month old purebred Keeshond puppy, to see Dr. Sharon Minninger at Telford Veterinary Hospital in Souderton, Pennsylvania for a physical examination...

While there are many companies out there claiming to have the best dog DNA test, only Embark offers the most scientifically advanced one. Our team is made up of scientists, veterinary geneticists, and other experts in the field who are all committed to helping dogs live their healthiest lives. Compare Embark to other dog DNA...

What is the most accurate dog DNA test? The answer to that question depends on a few different factors, like what technology the test uses, how much genetic information is captured in the results, and more. Embark is proud to offer the most accurate dog DNA test on the market today. But how can you...

When you compare dog DNA tests, the options can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between the different types of kits? How do you know if the results are accurate? Are you getting the best value for your money?  Let’s compare dog DNA test kit options and break down how to choose the one that’s right...

How much is a dog DNA test? The answer might be more complicated than you think. When comparing dog DNA test costs, it’s important to keep in mind a few different factors: the accuracy of the test, the value of the information you get, and the impact to your dog’s future health. Dog DNA test...

You probably know that DNA testing, for animals or for humans, involves sending in a saliva or blood sample and waiting for the results. But what happens to your dog’s sample after it gets to the Embark lab? Let’s break down the science behind how dog DNA tests work. The basics of how dog DNA...

Looking for fun activities to do with your dog that range from ordinary to extraordinary? Maybe your dog is an adventurous mountain climber, like Mason Mason. Or maybe they are more of a homebody, and you’re looking for ideas about how to entertain your dog indoors. No matter what kind of dog you have, writer...

Hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities in humans and dogs. Just like humans, Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs can experience progressive hearing loss early in life. This condition is known as early-onset adult deafness (EOAD).  With this form of deafness, dogs lose their hearing by the time they are 1–2 years old. Some purebred...

Presidential dogs have played an important role in history. The dogs in the White House offer a glimpse into the lives of the First Family of the United States. They have also been instrumental in shaping the presidential image and making presidents more relatable to the public. Many US presidents since George Washington were animal...

What would you do if you found out your beloved pup would eventually become blind? When Jane Flanders Salazar did an Embark dog DNA test for her dog Diego, she learned that he had two copies of a genetic variant that meant he would eventually lose his eyesight.  As reported in Newsweek, Jane rescued a...