2021 Fall Seminar Series - Ben J. Novak

Published: Sept. 7, 2021

Black-footed Ferret photo

2021 Fall Seminar Series Presents

BEN J. NOVAK
Lead Scientist, Revive & Restore, Sausalito, CA

WHEN:   Sept. 10, 2021, at Noon
WHEN:   Seminar will be presented via Zoom
Please complete the RSVP Form to receive the Zoom Meeting Link. Forms can be submitted any time before the Seminar but not after 10:00am the day of the seminar.

The World's First Cloned Black-footed Ferret: A Case for the
Need for Biobanking in Conservation

In February 2021, the birth of Elizabeth Ann, the world's first cloned black-footed ferret was announced, marking the first time any U.S. endangered species had been cloned. Elizabeth Ann was cloned from cells that had been cryopreserved for 32 years prior to her birth. Along with an endangered Przewalski's horse cloned from cells cryopreserved in 1980, these cloning efforts are the first time in history cloning has been used for genetic rescue of bottlenecked species, despite cloning technology in routine use in agriculture for 20 years. The stories of how these projects came to be underscore the need for strategic biobanking and conservation genomics for endangered species. In this presentation, Revive & Restore scientist Ben Novak will share these stories and what they mean for the future of conservation.

Everyone is welcome to join the seminar, please complete the RSVP FORM to receive the Zoom link. Forms can be submitted any time before the seminar but not after 10:00am the day of the seminar.