Advancing stem cell technologies for conservation of wildlife biodiversity
Ashlee M. Hutchinson, Ruth Appeltant, Tom Burdon, Qiuye Bao, Rhishikesh Bargaje, Andrea G. Bodnar, Stuart Chambers, Pierre Comizzoli, Laura Cook, Yoshinori Endo, Bob Harman, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Marisa L. Korody, Uma Lakshmipathy, Jeanne F. Loring, Clara Munger, Alex H. M. Ng, Ben J. Novak, Manabu Onuma, Sara Ord, M.C.J. Paris, Andrew J. Pask, Francisco Pelegri, Martín F. Pera, Ryan M. Phelan, Benyamin Rosental, Oliver A. Ryder, Woranop Sukparangsi, Gareth J. Sullivan, Nicole Liling Tay, Nikki Traylor‐Knowles, Shawn Walker, Antonia Weberling, Deanne J. Whitworth, Suzannah A. Williams, Jessye Wojtusik, Jun Wu, Qi-Long Ying, Thomas P. Zwaka, Timo N. Kohler
Abstract
Wildlife biodiversity is essential for healthy, resilient and sustainable ecosystems. For biologists, this diversity also represents a treasure trove of genetic, molecular and developmental mechanisms that deepen our understanding of the origins and rules of life. However, the rapid decline in biodiversity reported recently foreshadows a potentially catastrophic collapse of many important ecosystems and the associated irreversible loss of many forms of life on our planet. Immediate action by conservationists of all stripes is required to avert this disaster. In this Spotlight, we draw together insights and proposals discussed at a recent workshop hosted by Revive & Restore, which gathered experts to discuss how stem cell technologies can support traditional conservation techniques and help protect animal biodiversity. We discuss reprogramming, in vitro gametogenesis, disease modelling and embryo modelling, and we highlight the prospects for leveraging stem cell technologies beyond mammalian species.