Illumina Partners with San Diego Zoo to Advance Conservation Genetics through Sequencing

Illumina and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Collaborate for Conservation

In a remarkable partnership, Illumina, Inc. has announced a groundbreaking agreement with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) to sequence the Frozen Zoo®, a biobank that spans five decades of collected genetic material from an extensive range of threatened and endangered species. This initiative aims to harness the power of genomics to bolster global conservation efforts, making strides towards protecting biodiversity.

The Frozen Zoo® is globally recognized as the most comprehensive and diverse collection of living cells from animals at risk of extinction. It includes biological samples from approximately 4,000 individual animals representing over 1,300 different species. With this agreement, Illumina plans to sequence a selection of these specimens, utilizing cutting-edge genomic technologies to uncover insights that are crucial for addressing real-world conservation challenges.

The Significance of Genomic Insights in Conservation

Cande Rogert, Vice President and Global Head of Advanced Sciences at Illumina, expressed pride in this strategic collaboration, noting that it represents a significant advancement in utilizing multiomic technologies for the preservation of biodiversity. Multiomics combines genomics with other biological data to provide a holistic view of the genetic health and variability of species, which is essential in determining effective conservation strategies.

The urgency of this endeavor is underscored by the mounting threats faced by various species due to climate change, habitat loss, and disease. By sequencing biobanked samples, conservation scientists can obtain crucial genomic information that aids in the design of targeted conservation programs and enhances ecological resilience. Megan Owen, SDZWA's Benirschke Endowed Vice President of Conservation Science, remarked that this collaboration signals a new era of genomic discovery aimed at combating biodiversity loss more effectively.

Collaboration for Future Biodiversity

The partnership aims to exemplify the value of sequencing in global conservation initiatives and to inspire further collaboration among conservation scientists. As part of the project, Illumina will generate whole-genome sequencing data that will be accessible for research purposes, allowing conservationists to analyze genetic diversity across numerous species.

In particular, the sequencing of these samples will be pivotal for enhancing our understanding of population genetics and the evolutionary history of various animals. Additionally, the collaboration is expected to validate multiomic workflows, confirming their efficacy for non-human genetic research and consequently broadening their applicability in conservation biology.

Rolf Benirschke, Chair of the SDZWA Board of Trustees and son of the Frozen Zoo's founder, highlighted the therapeutic legacy of his father, Dr. Kurt Benirschke, who envisioned the preservation of DNA from endangered species back in 1975. He noted that the significant advancement of this initiative would undoubtedly please his father, showcasing the enduring relevance of the Frozen Zoo in today's conservation landscape.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts

This collaboration is not an isolated project; it integrates into Illumina's broader iConserve program, which focuses on leveraging genomic technologies to support urgent conservation needs on various fronts. Recent successful projects include genetic mapping of elephants in Africa and conservation efforts for endangered lemurs in Madagascar, showcasing the diverse applications of genomics in preserving species.

Recently, iConserve published a study demonstrating how genome sequencing can inform conservation strategies for koalas, a species confronted by viral threats that impact their health. By establishing genetic risk assessments and breeding indices, researchers developed tools that could mitigate cancer risks in koala populations, thus strengthening the chances for their survival both in captivity and in the wild.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Illumina and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance represents a monumental step in the intertwining of cutting-edge science and conservation efforts. As threats to biodiversity continue to escalate, such partnerships are vital in driving innovative solutions. By combining advanced genomic technologies with decades of preserved biological data, we stand on the brink of significantly enhancing our capabilities to protect endangered species worldwide. As this project unfolds, stakeholders in conservation and science alike will surely watch closely as it seeks to maximize the impact of biobanked genetic material on the future of wildlife.

For more information about Illumina's initiatives, visit illumina.com or explore the foundational work at the Frozen Zoo® by visiting sdzwa.org/frozen-zoo.