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26
Feb 2016
Fast mail
I Blitspos
FAST MAIL • BLITSPOS
Reproduction, stem cell
researchers set up a rescue plan
for Northern White Rhino
International scientists set up a
rescue plan for the worldwide
last three northern white rhinos
(
Ceratotherium simum cottoni
).
The plan is to reproduce northern
white rhinos using natural gametes
of the last living individuals as well
as using induced pluripotent stem
cells (iPS cells). The iPS cells can be gained from rhino somatic
cells, for example from the skin. Subsequently, in the future,
it might be possible to specifically mature the iPS cells into
neurons, heart muscle cells or even gametes. If everything goes
according to plan, in vitro fertilised gametes can be introduced
into surrogate mothers and fertile northern white rhinos will
be produced. Mice have already been grown out of skin cells
and an international team of researchers is now working on
transferring this model of success to northern white rhinos.
This first use of stem cell technology in animal conservation is
ground breaking.
Only three individuals, a male and two females, presently live
at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Age and reproductive
challenges make the possibility of natural reproduction unlikely,
but the DNA of a dozen individual northern white rhinos has
been preserved in genetic banks in Berlin and San Diego. The
experts are using this genetic information to bring back the
species.
(Source:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151222082248.htm)
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FAST MAIL • BLITSPOS
How temperature determines
sex in alligators
Some reptiles such as crocodilians and some turtles are known to display
temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), where the ambient
temperature of the developing eggs determines the individual's sex. For
example in the American alligator's eggs, incubation at 33 ºC produces
mostly males, while incubation at 30 ºC produces mostly females. An international joint research team between Japan
and the US have determined that the thermosensor protein TRPV4 is associated with TSD in the American alligator.
TRPV4 is present within the developing alligator gonad inside the egg. Alligator TRPV4 is responsive to temperatures
near mid-30s and can activate cell signalling by inducing calcium ion influx. The current study also demonstrates that
by specific pharmacological inhibition of TPRV4 protein function in the developing egg, genes important for male
development are influenced, and partial feminization at male producing temperatures have been observed.
This is the first demonstrated report of a biomolecule associated with regulation of the very unique temperature-
dependent sex determination mechanism.
(Source:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151223134112.htm)
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FAST MAIL • BLITSPOS
New NDV-H5NX avian
influenza vaccine has
potential for mass
vaccination of poultry
A team of researchers
has developed a vaccine
that protects poultry
from multiple strains of
avian influenza found
in the U.S., including
H5N1, H5N2 and
H5N8. The vaccine
can be administered
through water or into
embryonated eggs, making it easier for poultry
producers to vaccinate flocks. In addition, when
using the NDV-H5Nx vaccine, it is possible to
differentiate infected from vaccinated animals.
Researchers developed the NDV-H5Nx
vaccine with a recombinant virus technique
similar to the one used to make NDV-H5N1
and NDV-H7N9 vaccines in 2015. The
extracellular domain of the H5 or H7 protein
of the respective avian influenza viruses was
transplanted into the Newcastle disease virus
vaccine strain LaSota in order to make the
vaccine constructs.
(Source:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160107131015.htm)
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