Deep-freezing DNA to Protect Biodiversity in Partnership with Slovakia

The National Agricultural and Food Centre (NPPC) Slovakia, in partnership with the National Center for Biodivertsity and Gene Conservation (NBGK), has won a grant to implement a project entitled “Supporting cross-border biodiversity conservation” within the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary-Slovakia program.

The total budget of the project is EUR 998,683, of which the Hungarian side will receive community funding of EUR 360,910 between May 1, 2024 and October 31, 2026, they pointed out.

The communication explains that the native livestock species established in the Danube region are similar in nature due to the same environmental factors. Both countries are struggling to cope with the loss of indigenous breeds from production and a drastic reduction in their numbers as intensive farming systems are coming to the fore.

Without conscious gene conservation programs, these breeds could disappear permanently, and it is therefore a priority for both countries to conserve and integrate the genetic material of these breeds into production,

they highlighted.

The NBGK pays special attention to the conservation of the genetic diversity of indigenous livestock species and breeds. For example, the Hungarian giant rabbit is a critically endangered species. The project will allow the introduction of genetically tested animals from external breeders, an increase in the number of livestock units, the installation of modern ventilation technology and the construction of breeding support facilities in existing livestock buildings.

According to the information, the long-term conservation of genetic material in cryogenic conditions (stored at very low temperatures) using in vitro methods will be achieved.

The objective of the call for proposals is to develop deep-freezing methods for both rabbits and indigenous poultry species and breeds.

In domestic fowl and geese species, the NBGK has developed and applies technologies for the cryopreservation of embryonic stem cells and gamete tissues that allow long-term storage of the female genome. A further aim is to transfer these new methods to the Slovak partner and to increase the number of samples in both countries.

The project will lay the foundations for long-term cooperation between the two countries. The project will be jointly led by the Slovak consortium. The joint work will contribute to the conservation of genetic stocks of native animal species, which will strengthen biodiversity conservation in both Hungary and Slovakia in the long term.

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