years, Smithsonian scientists collected and stored frozen biomaterials (such as DNA
years, Smithsonian scientists collected and stored frozen biomaterials (such as DNA
Mitochondrial DNA suggests that they diverged from a common ancestor 500,000 years
Mitochondrial DNA suggests that they diverged from a common ancestor 500,000 years
The Center for Conservation Genomics works to understand and conserve biodiversity through the application of genomics and genetics approaches.
specialize in genetic management of animal populations, genomics, non-invasive DNA
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.
turtles, monitoring Chytrid infections in amphibians around the world, and sequencing DNA
As a research assistant for the nutrition laboratory, Jenna Pastel wears a snowsuit year-round. That’s because she spends a lot of time in a -20 degree Fahrenheit walk-in freezer located in the Zoo’s science building.
DNA sequencing is the process of identifying the sequence of nucleotide bases in
Scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics conduct studies that use genetic methods and markers to help understand an animal’s behavior or ecology.
Before the advent of DNA analyses, scientists who studied the behavioral and ecological
Without ever laying eyes on a San Joaquin kit fox, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute know how many of the cute creatures live in California’s Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area.
How did you analyze the kit foxes’ DNA?
E. Emperatriz Gamero is currently a fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics, where she conducts lab work for her master’s degree. Her research aims to propose a phylogenetic hypothesis about the origins of the endemic and critically endangered Margarita capuchin, and its divergence from mainland capuchins. She hopes to examine longstanding questions about specific versus subspecific status of the species based on their colonization of Margarita Island. Gamero’s projects include:
Projects Image: Ancient DNA By studying ancient DNA, scientists can learn about
Figuring out the sex of a porcupine can be a difficult task. They aren’t always easy to handle, and when they are young they show no sexual dimorphism.
porcupine quills from 22 porcupines submitted by five different institutions, and ran a DNA
Center for Conservation Genomics scientists sequence genomes and transcriptomes in large part to develop markers for detailed population studies, and to assess responses to stressors such as pathogens and climate change.
Genomics studies the genome (all of an organism’s DNA) as a whole.
