If anyone watches TV, they've seen at one time or another the criminal investigation shows which frequently depend on finding the "perp's" DNA, thus solving the crime and ensuring that justice is served.

It's a bit far-fetched, but not impossible. The truly limiting factor is not the science but the cost. The truth however, is that DNA does define an individual well beyond their hair color or blood type. And this science is being used and extended in almost all areas of medicine and nutrition.

In late 2005, scientists completed the mapping of the feline genome. This followed on the heels of completing human and canine genome mapping. The genome is the complete DNA sequence of an organism (in our point of interest, the cat). This entailed identifying tens of thousands of genes and their relative locations along the strands of DNA that collectively make up chromosomes. Cats have 38 chromosomes, getting 19 from each parent.

How does this apply our day to day lives and that of our cats? Well, along with this map of genes comes the current and future knowledge of which genes are responsible for specific actions at a cellular level and ultimately at a disease level.

Genes are like secret decoder rings. We can now see what letters are used in the code, we just have to figure out what they mean in different sequences. Many are already known. Scientists continue to unravel the mystery, giving other specialists the tools with which to impact this genetic blueprint through drug therapy and nutrition. It also provides the means to discover the potential for specific diseases before they manifest, giving us more time to prevent or mitigate the development. Likewise, helping breeders to select healthier dams and sires, and decrease the prevalence of breed-related diseases.

More than ever before, we are seeing that nutrition has a very integral part in the health of an animal (including humans). Before, science could identify what nutrients were essential (ones that the animal could not manufacture themselves, but must get in the food) and the physiological results of deficiency, as well as toxicity in some cases. A new area of science, called nutrigenomics, is giving us a microscope to see the actual interaction between the nutrient molecules and the genes that dictate what proteins are made, when they are made and how they are activated. This knowledge in turn opens the door to manipulate the "on" and "off" switch for each gene. That manipulation can be done using specific nutrients in certain cases.

Genes are kept within the nucleus of a cell. This is like a bank vault that is protecting the most valuable part of the cell, its DNA. However, for the DNA information to actually be put into use, it must be copied and transported out of the nucleus into the cytoplasm where it can then be implemented. The copied information spells out how to make enzymes and polypeptides. Each enzyme and polypeptide has a specific action it performs.

This is where the nutrition comes in. Nutrients such as folate actively participate in the copying of the master DNA information, and in its translation into the production of those enzymes and polypeptides. Optimal levels of folate drive this machinery  to work efficiently and accurately. This is crucial is the developing embryo and fetus. So if folate is in short supply, the copying and translation processes develop kinks, which lead to broken DNA strands and serious problems. In some instances it will lead to the death of the embryo, in others it results in congenital defects such as cleft palate and spina bifida. Folate deficiency is not the only factor to influence these defects, but it has been recognized as a major contributor. Sometimes the gene itself has been mutated and it can no longer provide the original functioning blueprint.

Some diseases, such as the cartilage defect that plagues Scottish Fold cats and leads to severe arthritis, are caused by one mutated gene. Other diseases such as hip dysplasia are due to a conglomeration of many genes impacting multiple biochemical pathways and resulting in cumulative damage.

Diabetes is a disease that is very prevalent in cats. It is hoped that nutrigenomics will provide the means by which we can actively decrease the prevalence, or at least delay the onset, of this disease.

Nutrigenomics is not going to be that panacea through which we eliminate all disease and perpetuate immortality. But any insight it can provide, gives us another tool to use to ensure the health of our cats.