{"id":1313,"date":"2025-09-09T14:28:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T07:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2025-09-09T14:30:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T07:30:17","slug":"stem-cell-technology-for-wildlife-conservation-from-laboratory-to-the-frontlines-of-thai-biodiversity-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/?p=1313","title":{"rendered":"Stem Cell Technology for Wildlife Conservation: From Laboratory to the Frontlines of Thai Biodiversity Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1313\" class=\"elementor elementor-1313\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01ceeca e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"01ceeca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b70f55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b70f55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 11-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 At first glance, stem cell research may seem worlds apart from wildlife conservation. However, over the past decade, this advanced biotechnology field has quietly emerged as a powerful tool in the fight to preserve Thailand\u2019s endangered species. From within the laboratories of the Faculty of Science at Burapha University, a multidisciplinary team has been working to bridge this gap\u2014transforming research into real-world conservation impact.<\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 In collaboration with key partners such as the <strong>Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand<\/strong> and under the leadership of\u00a0 <strong>Dr. Ampika Thongphakdee<\/strong>, a pioneering veterinarian, the\u00a0<strong>Excellent Unit of Wildlife Stem Cells (eWIS)<\/strong>\u00a0was founded. This collaborative network aims to develop stem cell technology specifically for use in wildlife species, with an initial focus on the\u00a0<strong>Felidae family<\/strong>, including fishing cats (<em>Prionailurus viverrinus<\/em>) and clouded leopards (<em>Neofelis nebulosa<\/em>)\u2014both classified as vulnerable species. The domestic cat is a laboratory model to help refine protocols before they are adapted for wild relatives.<\/p><p><strong>Empowering Research Through Education and Partnerships<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Progress in this field has been driven by the energy and passion of undergraduate (B.Sc. in Biology) and graduate (M.Sc. in Biological Sciences) students who work closely with faculty researchers. The Faculty of Science provides funding support through <strong>early-career research grants<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>SDG15-aligned research grants (kindly supplied by Burapha University)<\/strong>, ensuring continuity and growth.<\/p><p><strong>Project Coordinator: <\/strong>Associate Professor Dr. Woranop Sukparangsi<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-232d319 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"232d319\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42e609a e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42e609a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28e97a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"28e97a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 11-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"593\" height=\"890\" src=\"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1316\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-2.jpg 593w, https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2117b88 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2117b88\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-802ce15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"802ce15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 On the global stage, <strong>international partnerships<\/strong>\u00a0have significantly enhanced the capacity of Thailand\u2019s wildlife stem cell research. Collaborations with the\u00a0<strong>University of Cambridge (UK), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Kumamoto University (Japan), and the University of Hong Kong<\/strong>\u00a0bring in diverse expertise in cell biology, reproductive technologies, and conservation genetics.<\/p><p><strong>The Future of Wildlife Preservation Lies in Pluripotent Stem Cells<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The central question remains: <em>Which type of stem cells are suitable for conservation?<\/em><br \/>The answer lies in\u00a0<strong>pluripotent stem cells<\/strong>\u2014cells with the potential to become any cell type in the body, including neural, muscle, blood, and even germ cells needed for reproduction. However, obtaining pluripotent stem cells from wild animals is extremely difficult because they are typically derived from embryos at specific developmental stages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f914a2 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f914a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f477e66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f477e66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A promising alternative is the <strong>induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology<\/strong>, which allows researchers to reprogram adult fibroblast cells into embryonic-like stem cells. These cells can be generated from skin biopsies of deceased wild animals, cultured in the lab, and cryopreserved in\u00a0<strong>wildlife stem cell biobanks<\/strong>. This approach opens new possibilities for genetic rescue, future assisted reproduction, and long-term species survival.<\/p><p><strong>Collaboration is the Heart of Conservation Innovation<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Creating viable, functional iPSCs for conservation requires an interdisciplinary approach\u2014merging cell biology, genetics, and bioengineering. The eWIS program exemplifies the importance of <strong>research alliances<\/strong>\u00a0and how universities can catalyse\u00a0<strong>biotechnological innovation with social and ecological purposes<\/strong>.<\/p><p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Together, we are proving that <strong>technology developed in the lab can make a lasting difference in the forest<\/strong>\u2014ensuring that the wildlife of Thailand does not just survive, but thrives for generations to come.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 At first glance, stem cell research may seem worlds apart<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1314,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[45],"tags":[13,15,18,23],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1477,1108,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1477,1108,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1477,1108,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"large":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-1024x768.jpg",640,480,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1477,1108,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1477,1108,false],"ultp_layout_landscape_large":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",1066,800,false],"ultp_layout_landscape":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",760,570,false],"ultp_layout_portrait":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",600,450,false],"ultp_layout_square":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1.jpg",600,450,false],"nhuja-news-carousel-img":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-783x450.jpg",783,450,true],"nhuja-news-carousel-img-landscape":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-783x225.jpg",783,225,true],"nhuja-news-carousel-large-img":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-1000x574.jpg",1000,574,true],"nhuja-news-carousel-large-img-landscape":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-1000x287.jpg",1000,287,true],"nhuja-news-large-thumb":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-1170x878.jpg",1170,878,true],"nhuja-news-small-thumb":["https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-1-350x220.jpg",350,220,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"nantana.ku buu","author_link":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/?author=5"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/?cat=45\" rel=\"category\">Faculty of Science<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 At first glance, stem cell research may seem worlds apart","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1313"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1319,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions\/1319"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sdgs.buu.ac.th\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}