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    Cryo conservation: A cool solution to saving species from extinction   
      
      
     Date:   
         June 20, 2023   
     Source:   
         Trinity College Dublin   
     Summary:   
         In the face of the biodiversity crisis, and alarming data   
         showing a 69% decline in global animal populations since 1970,   
         researchers are banking on a cool solution to help save species   
         from extinction. Much like egg- freezing is used to preserve   
         human fertility options for a later date, the cryo-freezing of   
         genetic samples taken from animals may play an essential role   
         in curbing species extinctions. A new study sheds light on the   
         immense potential of living cell banks, also known as cryobanks,   
         to contribute to global conservation priorities.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   In the face of the biodiversity crisis, and alarming data showing a 69%   
   decline in global animal populations since 1970, researchers are banking   
   on a cool solution to help save species from extinction. Much like   
   egg-freezing is used to preserve human fertility options for a later   
   date, the cryo-freezing of genetic samples taken from animals may play   
   an essential role in curbing species extinctions.   
      
   A new study published in Zoo Biology, titled 'Maximizing the potential   
   for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities,'   
   sheds light on the immense potential of living cell banks, also known   
   as cryobanks, to contribute to global conservation priorities.   
      
   These living cell banks preserve genetic materials from animals, such as   
   DNA, embryos, semen, and live tissue, at ultra-low temperatures. These   
   cells can be cultured and used for various applications, including genetic   
   analysis, assisted reproductive techniques, ensuring genetic diversity   
   in animal populations, and even potentially reintroducing species back   
   into their natural habitats.   
      
   For the study, researchers analysed the contents of the Frozen Zoo(R) at   
   the San Diego Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) -- the world's largest and most   
   diverse collection of living genetic samples -- to develop a framework   
   for the prioritization of species for future sampling. Researchers also   
   used aggregated data from the world's largest database of knowledge   
   on species -- the Species360 Zoological Information Management System   
   (ZIMS) -- to identify opportunities for future genetic sample collection.   
      
   The study shows that 965 different species, including 5% of amphibians,   
   birds, mammals, and reptiles listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List   
   are currently stored in the SDZWA Frozen Zoo(R) and that further sampling   
   from zoos and aquariums could significantly increase that representation   
   to 16.6%, by providing access to an additional 707 threatened species.   
      
   Additionally, genetic samples of 50% of the species currently listed   
   as extinct in the wild are already represented within the SDZWA Frozen   
   Zoo(R), but sampling from the zoological community can increase this   
   number to 91% - - potentially providing a critical lifeline for these   
   species on the brink of extinction.   
      
   Lead study author, Dr Andrew Mooney, Dublin Zoo and Trinity College   
   Dublin's School of Natural Sciences, emphasises the significance of the   
   study, saying.   
      
   "This study not only highlights the incredible work done by the San   
   Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to date, but also the collective potential   
   of the global zoo and aquarium community in further contributing to   
   global cryobanking initiatives and conservation priorities. As wildlife   
   populations continue to decline around the globe, there has never   
   been a more critical time to collect and preserve genetic samples from   
   threatened species. Cryobanked samples provide unparalleled conservation   
   opportunities, however we must make a concerted effort to work together   
   and collect samples now, before it is too late."  Yvonne Buckley,   
   Professor of Zoology in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, says:   
   "We are in a biodiversity extinction crisis with over a million species   
   likely to be threatened with extinction over the coming decades. While   
   our first priority is to prevent species from declining in the wild,   
   cryobanking provides a means to safeguard crucial genetic diversity and   
   reintroduce it back into populations to increase their adaptability   
   and resilience."  Co-author Johanna Staerk, Species360 Conservation   
   Science Alliance, says: "This study highlights the immense potential of   
   cryobanking in safeguarding endangered species as well as the role of   
   zoos and aquariums in conservation.   
      
   Given how difficult it is to obtain genetic samples from wild species,   
   zoos and aquariums provide the ideal resource from which to collect   
   genetic samples to ensure the future survival of species."  Oliver   
   A. Ryder, Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics, San Diego Zoo   
   Wildlife Alliance, says: "Over forty years of cryobanking viable cells in   
   the Frozen Zoo(R) has produced a substantive and impactful resource for   
   genomics-based biodiversity discovery and demonstrated possibilities for   
   cellular-based genetic rescue. Urgently needed are expanded efforts in   
   nations across the globe to establish a distributed network of biobanks   
   to make cell-based genetic resources available in an equitable manner and   
   provide future generations with conservation options."  Marlys Houck,   
   Curator of the Frozen Zoo(R), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and   
   co-author on the study remarked: "Dr Kurt Benirschke started the Frozen   
   Zoo(R) in 1975 and hundreds of samples continue to be added each year. Due   
   to his foresight, we have cell lines from species and individuals banked   
   decades ago, some that had not reproduced. Their genetic diversity is not   
   represented in current populations but is available for future genetic   
   rescue through the samples in the Frozen Zoo(R)."  In addition to the   
   framework suggesting which species need to be prioritised for genetic   
   sampling, the study authors also encourage the formation of a global   
   cryobanking database, facilitating collaborative efforts in preserving   
   genetic diversity.   
      
   The study was the result of a workshop held at the IUCN Conservation   
   Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) meeting in 2016 held by Species360   
   Conservation Science Alliance in collaboration with Oliver Ryder from   
   the Frozen Zoo(R).   
      
   The Role of Cryobanking in Saving Species from Extinction -- A Case Study   
   The powerful role of cryobanking in conservation is exemplified through   
   ongoing efforts to save the now functionally extinct northern white   
   rhino. With only two surviving females, scientists are working to save   
   the subspecies from disappearing forever through assisted reproductive   
   techniques using samples from the Frozen Zoo(R).   
      
   While the example of the northern white rhino is an eleventh-hour attempt   
   to save the subspecies, study authors stress the importance of proactively   
   prioritizing species and establishing a global cryobanking database to   
   ensure conservation actions can be taken much sooner.   
      
   Cryobanking may be the only lifeline to save species on the brink of   
   extinction, such as the northern white rhino rhino and the vaquita, due to   
   the availability of living cell cultures for these species. Regrettably,   
   these possibilities will never be realized for the recently extinct   
   Yangtze river dolphin and the Christmas Island pipistrelle -- for which   
   no living biological samples exist.   
      
   However, sampling opportunities still exist for most species. Considering   
   that 71% of species listed as 'least concern' on the IUCN Red List of   
   Threatened Species are at risk of extinction due to the impacts of   
   climate change, the storage of genetic samples taken now could help   
   conserve those species in the future.   
      
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Plants_&_Animals   
                   # Nature # Extinction # Endangered_Animals # New_Species   
             o Earth_&_Climate   
                   # Environmental_Awareness # Ecology # Exotic_Species #   
                   Environmental_Policy   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o Biodiversity o Zoo o Extinction_event o Extinction   
             o Decline_in_amphibian_populations o Leopard o   
             Somatic_cell_nuclear_transfer o Virus   
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by Trinity_College_Dublin. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Andrew Mooney, Oliver A. Ryder, Marlys L. Houck, Johanna Staerk,   
      Dalia A.   
      
         Conde, Yvonne M. Buckley. Maximizing the potential for living cell   
         banks to contribute to global conservation priorities. Zoo Biology,   
         2023; DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21787   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230620113747.htm   
      
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