Kari Ekenstedt

Title:

Associate Professor

PhD Granting Institution:

University of Minnesota

Contact:

Email Address: kje0003@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-496-1637
Lab Website Link: https://vet.purdue.edu/discovery/ekenstedt/index.php

Primary Training Group:

Computational and Systems Biology

Secondary Training Groups:

Computational and Systems Biology, Integrative Neuroscience

Research Areas:

Molecular genetics and genomics tools are used to study Mendelian and complex genetic traits and diseases in companion animal (primarily canine and feline) populations.

Current Projects:

Naturally-occurring diseases in dogs and cats, from musculoskeletal and neurologic to ophthalmic and even coat color. Specific conditions currently being investigated include: ectrodactyly, spinal abnormalities, dwarfism, ocular melanosis, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hypomyelination, storage diseases, and others.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:

The work carried out in our lab improves animal health, allowing veterinarians to better predict, diagnose, and treat these syndromes, and also benefits human health, as the dog and cat can serve as relevant and informative biomedical models.