2017 CVM News: Boyko's Embark goes prime time with Puppy Bowl

Abstract

The news item is about: For some of us, the best part of Super Bowl Sunday isn’t the football—it’s the puppies. Animal Planet’s PUPPY BOWL XIII has become a beloved program for animal lovers around the country, and this year, scientists from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine get to ‘play ball’. Embark, the biotech start-up co-founded by Dr. Adam Boyko, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, has conducted DNA testing for all 78 of the Puppy Bowl players to reveal genetic insights about each pup’s heritage and health. “Looking at a puppy’s DNA can tell us what breeds they come from, how big they’ll get, and even if they have genetic risk factors for certain diseases,” Boyko explains. “That’s powerful information to have if you’re adopting a dog.”