How Australian Researchers Plan to Avert Koala Extinction
Australian researchers are using cryopreservation to store koala eggs and sperm in liquid nitrogen to prevent the species from going extinct. This genetic banking initiative aims to preserve unique DNA diversity to help the population adapt to environmental threats like disease and habitat loss.
Why it matters
As koala populations have plummeted by 80% due to climate and health factors, this technology provides a critical safety net for biodiversity conservation.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Scientists in Australia have developed a new method to avert koala extinction by freezing the animals' eggs and sperm as a genetic safety net. These reproductive cells are slated for future use to produce koala embryos through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF).Led by researchers from the University of Queensland, the project stores the reproductive cells in liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius. Through this cryopreservation method, koala DNA can be preserved for decades until it is required to support conservation initiatives.The research team emphasizes that banking these cells is crucial, as every deceased koala carries unique genetic diversity that could help the species adapt to shifting environmental conditions."Losing genetic diversity can weaken future generations and decreases the ability of the species to adapt to challenges," said reproductive biologist Andres Gambini from the University of Queensland, as reported by Live Science on Wednesday, July 15,…
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