Changing animal poles into offspring may seem like a zoo’s keeper’s virgin trick, but if researchers succeed in a new project to help prevent dangerous animals from being endangered, it can become a reality.
From snow leopards to sea turtles, animals around the world are at risk, with some scientists calling the massive loss of forest life in recent decades “biological annihilation”.
Researchers are now searching for whether they can use dung to capture the genetic diversity of animal.
In the name of “The Po Zoo”, the project is based on a simple basis: besides being rich in unlucky food, bacteria and leaves, Po also has cells of the creatures who collect it, shed with their intestinal layer.
Significantly, research suggests that some cells inside the POO are still alive – at least when the submission is fresh.
“These are very early stages.” He added, “But so far it has been feeling very positive,” he said, adding that he not only separated the living cells from the mouse Po, but also from the elephant dung.
It is hoped that these cells can be used to help promote genetic diversity within the population, thus increasing the chances of survival of the species.
The point of view, which is called “Genetic rescue“, Can take several shapes. In the first place, DNA can be analyzed from cells to help scientists understand the genetic variation of different populations, and inform different efforts to protect. If the DNA is alive, if the DNA is of high quality.
But if POO cells can be decent and enhanced, it creates another possibility: the creation of the entire animal using the latest auxiliary reproductive technologies.
These include cloning – in which the cell’s nucleus donor is inserted into the egg, an electric continuation is imposed, and resulting in a surrogate to produce the fetal of the original animal’s genetic “twin”.
Perhaps still more interesting cells are likely to re -programm so that they have the capacity to become any cell type. Significantly, research in mice suggests that such cells can be converted into sperm and eggs-that is, they can be used in IVF type techniques to produce offspring.
“If you use eggs and sperm, you have to take advantage of sexual reproduction and all of these events, and you really start to develop the ability to adapt to environmental tension,” said Dr. Ashley Hutchinson, who came with the idea of ​​a zoo and they are the program manager. Recovery and restorationA US -based Conservation Organization that is financing work.
In straight terms, it is possible to use genetic diversity without creating sexual cells in a laboratory, collecting individual animals – which may be in different parts of the world, or otherwise inaccessible – or need to collect your sperm and eggs.
Re-programmed cells may also be allowed to understand scientists to modify the gene, for example, wildlife diseases or environmental ads containing gene-such information that can later be used to engineer maximum flexibility in any species, for example, or for some genes.
Jean’s modification is already being searched by recovery and restoration To bring back the dignified passenger pigeonAnd in an attempt to restore Only Memon by the Bio Science Science Company.
Freezing decent cells in the -196C in liquid nitrogen means that they can be preserved indefinitely, allowing it to potentially use DNA, which has not yet been dreamed.
From genetic and ovarian tissues to skin cells, bubbanking of species and tissues, through charitable organizations and organizations for genetic rescue, has been accepted by charities and organizations based in the UK. Nature is safe Towards San Diego Frozen zoo.
But it usually involves taking animal cells or tissues themselves, whether it is alive or after death. On the contrary, taking the cells from the POO is non -invading and does not include arrest, which also increases the possibility of collecting them with a very funny creature. It is a point that can enable scientists to access maximum genetic diversity by giving samples of wild population.
“It is a matter of how we can accumulate live cells in different species in different species that we are losing at a terrible rate,” said Dr. Ryan Bolton, a researcher at the Chester Zoo.
But the point is not without challenges. Bolton said the total volume of dung is viable.
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In addition, Po contains more than only animal cells and organic waste.
“This is the most bacterial environment that you can potentially collect cells,” said Williams. The team is already working on a solution – using weakness to remove bacteria.
“Then we do culture [the animal cells] In antibiotics and antibiotics, “Williams said.
But even if living cells can be isolated from POs and decent, there are obstacles to cleaning off the offspring. Many of these animals lack the understanding of the reproductive physicality, which means that at least initially, the focus is likely.
However, when the zoo is at its early age, the team is shaped: Williams has tried to save the northern white rhinoceros by using lab -based methods to produce large numbers of eggs from rhinoceros tissues, while other projects, recovery and rehabilitation. Successful cloning of black feet ferrite – A species thought of being twice asleep – decades ago from frozen cells.
Some protectionists, however, maintain prevention, is better than treatment.
“The best way to protect the species is to stop them from falling to the point that such methods like cloning are needed. Although these new technologies can provide some interesting opportunities for protection, they are unlikely to provide the change we need to see.
“Addressing the basic drivers of biological diversity and excessive reduction, when the scale is supported by protection efforts that enable the protection and rehabilitation of nature, our main focus must be the focus if we deal with the biological diversity crisis.”
Dr. David Jachowski, an associate professor of the Wildlife Environment at the University of Klemson, added that genetic diversity must be firm, but it is not enough.
“The preparation of more animals does not necessarily mean that you have eliminated the danger in the wild to leave the animals and to survive,” he said.
But the zoo team says modern and traditional methods can work parallel.
Bolton said, “I am not saying that we should stop protecting the residence and stop doing the situation in the protection of the situation.” “I just think that because of the serious stream we are in, you need to try many different tools.”
