Miho Murayama:Professor of Kyoto University Wildlife Research Center. This site has introduce the new research and information content of my latest.
To learn more about the
reproduction of animals in zoos and aquariums we are applying methods and
analyses used to ascertain genetic diversity. Results of this work will not
only benefit captive animals but can also be applied to conservation of species
in the wild. To understand the range of genetic diversity within species
requires obtaining and genotyping many samples for each species. We collected
DNA samples from over 23,000 individuals representing each 200 species of
mammals and birds. Since some animals are difficult to capture, and thus blood
samples are not always available, we devised methods for efficient DNA analysis
using noninvasive samples such as feces and hair. We stored these in a DNA
database (the DNA Zoo), which also includes information on the geographical
region in which the sample was collected and characteristics of the individual.
We are going to develop The DNA Zoo so that it is able to link to cell bank. Using
the DNA Zoo, we are identifying subspecies/populations/kinships by genotyping
polymorphic markers such as microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA. Moreover, by
analyzing genes on the sex chromosome, we can identify the sex of some bird
species in which males and females are difficult to distinguish by observation
alone. We are also surveying individual differences in functional genes related
to personality traits (e.g. stress susceptibility) and reproduction. Introduction
of the next-generation sequencer made marker isolation and meta-genome analysis
easier, and widens the possibility of genome analysis of wild animals.
［Go to WRC site］
2012/7/6 私たちの研究が新聞に紹介されました 「淡路のサル 優しさ遺伝子」読売新聞 7月6日朝刊