{"id":539092,"date":"2023-01-12T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T05:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/team-streamlines-dna-collection-and-analysis-for-wildlife-conservation\/"},"modified":"2023-01-12T08:00:02","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T05:00:02","slug":"team-streamlines-dna-collection-and-analysis-for-wildlife-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/team-streamlines-dna-collection-and-analysis-for-wildlife-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"#Team streamlines DNA collection and analysis for wildlife conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e80c22f405\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e80c22f405\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/team-streamlines-dna-collection-and-analysis-for-wildlife-conservation\/#%E2%80%9CTeam_streamlines_DNA_collection_and_analysis_for_wildlife_conservation%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Team streamlines DNA collection and analysis for wildlife conservation&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CTeam_streamlines_DNA_collection_and_analysis_for_wildlife_conservation%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Team streamlines DNA collection and analysis for wildlife conservation&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"A new approach to obtaining DNA from elephant dung is faster, cheaper and more comprehensive than previous methods, researchers report. Pictured: African savanna elephants in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Credit: Rudi van Aarde\">\n<figure class=\"article-img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c.jpg\" alt=\"Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation\" title=\"A new approach to obtaining DNA from elephant dung is faster, cheaper and more comprehensive than previous methods, researchers report. Pictured: African savanna elephants in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Credit: Rudi van Aarde\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-darken text-low-up text-truncate-js text-truncate mt-3\">\n                A new <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roach to obtaining DNA from elephant dung is faster, cheaper and more comprehensive than previous methods, researchers report. Pictured: African savanna elephants in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Credit: Rudi van Aarde<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A new DNA-collection approach allows scientists to capture genetic information from wildlife without disturbing the animals or putting their own safety in jeopardy. The protocol, tested on elephant dung, yielded enough DNA to sequence whole genomes not only of the elephants but also of the associated microbes, plants, parasites and other organisms\u2014at a fraction of the cost of current approaches.<\/p>\n<section class=\"article-banner first-banner ads-336x280\"><!-- \/4988204\/Phys_Story_InText_Box --><br \/>\n      <\/section>\n<p>The researchers report their findings in the journal <i>Frontiers in Genetics<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We combined existing methodologies in such a way that we are now able to use noninvasive samples to generate genome-scale data,&#8221; said Alida de Flamingh, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who led the work with U. of I. animal <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/sciencee\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"5\" title=\"Science\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science<\/a>s professor Alfred Roca. &#8220;This allows us to assess wildlife populations without having to dart, capture or immobilize animals.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Collecting DNA from elephant dung is not new, Roca said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Elephant fecal samples have been used for decades to study the genetics of elephants,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But this relies on very cumbersome methods, often involving chemicals that in some cases may be dangerous. The collections are bulky, they&#8217;re hard to ship and they have to be refrigerated, making the whole process very costly.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>De Flamingh tested a relatively inexpensive alternative: using postcard-sized data-collection cards that have been treated to prevent the samples from degrading. Previous research has shown that once samples are smeared on the cards, they can be stored for months without refrigeration.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-2.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Postcard-sized sample collection cards offer an affordable alternative to more cumbersome methods of collecting and storing the genetic information in dung. The cards do not need to be refrigerated and maintain viable DNA for months after collection. Credit: Fred Zwicky\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-2.jpg\" alt=\"Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation\" title=\"Postcard-sized sample collection cards offer an affordable alternative to more cumbersome methods of collecting and storing the genetic information in dung. The cards do not need to be refrigerated and maintain viable DNA for months after collection. Credit: Fred Zwicky\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-truncate text-low-up mt-3\">\n                Postcard-sized sample collection cards offer an affordable alternative to more cumbersome methods of collecting and storing the genetic information in dung. The cards do not need to be refrigerated and maintain viable DNA for months after collection. Credit: Fred Zwicky<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The inspiration for the study came from de Flamingh&#8217;s work with U. of I. anthropology professor and study co-author Ripan Malhi, whose laboratory focuses on ancient DNA.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Ancient DNA can be problematic because samples are degraded and may yield very low levels of target species DNA,&#8221; de Flamingh said. Obtaining genomic data from dung can be similarly challenging, with lower elephant DNA concentrations than are available from blood samples. &#8220;I thought, this sounds like an excellent opportunity to test whether the same methodologies can be applied to noninvasive samples to generate the same type of data.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The team first collected samples from zoo elephants in experiments designed to determine how long after defecation the dung would yield viable genomic data. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida and the Dallas Zoological Gardens allowed the team to collect samples from their African savanna elephants. The researchers retrieved the samples im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely after defecation and 24, 48 and 72 hours later.<\/p>\n<p>Their tests revealed that even three-day-old dung yielded enough DNA for genomic studies of the elephants.\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gallery lightGallery\">\n<div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-3.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"A young African savanna elephant walks with the herd. Credit: Rudi van Aarde\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-3.jpg\" alt=\"Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation\" title=\"A young African savanna elephant walks with the herd. Credit: Rudi van Aarde\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-truncate text-low-up mt-3\">\n                A young African savanna elephant walks with the herd. Credit: Rudi van Aarde<br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The researchers next tested their approach on samples collected from wild African savanna elephants. Study collaborator and co-author Rudi van Aarde, a professor emeritus of zoology and entomology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and his colleagues used the cards to collect elephant dung samples after identifying a geographically and ecologically diverse set of wild areas across South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>By running the sequence data obtained from the cards through genomic databases, the team found a treasure trove of information in the dung.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was surprised,&#8221; Roca said. &#8220;I thought we might get some elephant DNA from the cards, but I was thinking on the order of 2%. However, on average, more than 12% of the DNA was attributed to the elephant.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This was achieved without using laboratory methods that target only elephant DNA, a costly and time-consuming procedure, the researchers said. As a result, each sample yielded a vast amount of data about the elephant, the microbial composition of its gut, its habitat and diet. The researchers even detected the DNA of butterflies and other arthropods that interact with the dung after it is deposited.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s really beneficial to get an idea of everything that&#8217;s in there because now you can start asking questions, not only about elephant genomes but also about things like their health, their diet and whether there are pathogens or parasites present,&#8221; de Flamingh said.\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"article-gallery js-article-gallery\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-1.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"A team led by U. of I. postdoctoral researcher Alida de Flamingh, left, and animal sciences professor Alfred Roca developed a new, more efficient approach to obtaining DNA from wild animals without disturbing the animals or putting researchers\u2019 lives at risk. Credit: Fred Zwicky\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-1.jpg\" alt=\"Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-low-up text-truncate mt-3\">\n                    A team led by U. of I. postdoctoral researcher Alida de Flamingh, left, and animal sciences professor Alfred Roca developed a new, more efficient approach to obtaining DNA from wild animals without disturbing the animals or putting researchers\u2019 lives at risk. Credit: Fred Zwicky<br \/>\n                <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-4.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"African savanna elephants. Credit: Rudi van Aarde\">\n<figure class=\"article-img text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c-4.jpg\" alt=\"Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation\"\/><figcaption class=\"text-left text-darken text-low-up text-truncate mt-3\">\n                    African savanna elephants. Credit: Rudi van Aarde<br \/>\n                <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When it comes to the elephant genomes, the results are comparable to those obtained via blood samples, Roca said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You can explore the connectivity of different elephant populations, the level of genetic diversity, the level of inbreeding and relatedness among elephants,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And I would say there are lots of reasons you don&#8217;t want to have to collect blood samples from wild elephants.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s possible to do what you could do with blood, but it goes beyond that,&#8221; de Flamingh said. &#8220;You now can do analyses that you couldn&#8217;t do before with blood DNA, which only provides information about the elephant&#8217;s genome.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>De Flamingh is a postdoctoral researcher and Malhi and Roca are professors at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-main__more p-4\">\n<p><strong>More information:<\/strong><br \/>\n                                                Combining methods for non-invasive fecal DNA enables whole genome and metagenomic analyses in wildlife biology, <i>Frontiers in Genetics<\/i> (2023). <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-doi=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.3389\/fgene.2022.1021004\">DOI: 10.3389\/fgene.2022.1021004<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"d-inline-block text-medium mt-4\">\n<p>\n                                                    Provided by<br \/>\n                                                                                                            University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign<br \/>\n                                                                                                                <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"icon_open\" href=\"http:\/\/illinois.edu\/\"><br \/>\n                                                            <svg><use href=\"https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/svg\/sprite.svg#icon_open\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!-- print only --><\/p>\n<div class=\"d-none d-print-block\">\n<p>                                                <strong>Citation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n                                                Team streamlines DNA collection and analysis for wildlife conservation (2023, January 12)<br \/>\n                                                retrieved 12 January 2023<br \/>\n                                                from https:\/\/phys.org\/<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>\/2023-01-team-dna-analysis-wildlife.html<\/p>\n<p>                                             This document is subject to copyright. 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Pictured: African savanna elephants in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Credit: Rudi van Aarde A new DNA-collection approach allows scientists to capture genetic information&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":539093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/scx2.b-cdn.net\/gfx\/news\/2023\/team-streamlines-dna-c.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-539092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sciencee"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=539092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/539092\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/539093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=539092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=539092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=539092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}