Dr. Leslie Lyons

Dr. Leslie Lyons’ long-standing research focuses on domestic cat genetics, particularly developing biomedical models. Her genetic interests are broad, not focusing on any one disease, including various health concerns and all organs systems. Her laboratory has identified over 30 mutations in over 25 genes including 21 diseases, cat AB / B blood type (2) and recently 2 diseases in wild felids. Specific diseases remain of high priority, including polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and heritable blindness. She looks forward to developing drug and gene therapies and translational efforts, for one or more of these abnormalities to better develop the cat as an animal model for human disease. Learn more about her fascinating work here.