Dung from animals living at Chester Zoo is assisting innovative research work at Oxford University.
Zoo teams collected samples from lions, giraffes, okapi and elephants that lets scientists store cells from living animals for use in future innovations.
Researchers at the esteemed university revealed recently that they are currently trialling brand-new techniques that involve isolating, washing and culturing living animal cells and safely storing them to support conservation. Many of the earth’s animals are endangered or on the brink of extinction, but Oxford scientists say this approach may potentially offer a vital lifeline to rare species under threat.
In 2024, Professor Suzannah Williams established the “Poo Zoo” with funds supplies by not-for-profit conservation organisation Revive and Restore. On her team is Dr Rhiannon Bolton, a researcher at Chester Zoo currently conducting research related to dung, produced by the leading conservationist’s residents.
Dr Bolton commented that current UK guidelines make it possible to collect samples under certain circumstances, or after an animal dies, limiting restricting sample collection. She said that the new technique could be a game changer, explaining:
“It’s early days yet, but this would allow us to collect cells from a far broader range of animals than we currently can, both individuals within a species and in terms of different species. It would make collecting and storing living animal cells non-invasive, cost-effective and efficient.”
Alongside supplying samples through the “poo zoo”, experts at Chester are also cryobanking living animal tissues from species whose lives have ended. Samples are stored at -196 degrees so their genetic information can help conserve other animals in the future.