The project aim is to analyze the global methylation pattern in the blood cells of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriver (NSDTR) dog breed affected with IMRD (autoimmune disease). We collected 40 dog samples which include healthy dogs, dogs with disease and sick dogs treated with medications. We belive that the altered methylation pattern will be detected in the blood cells. We will compare these changes with the differentially expressed genes, analysed by RNA-seq or qRT-PCR (depending on the number of the target genes of interest). For NSDTRs we have previously identified 5 risk loci and genetic variants associated with disease predisposition, and also examined changes in expression of the associated genes. All this data including genotypes, gene expression and methylation in healthy, disease and treated dogs will be integrated together and provide a better inderstanding of disease development and response to treatment.