Special part of Phar Lap’s tooth used for DNA project
Australian researchers seeking to unravel Phar Lap’s genetics volition occupation a specific occupation of the horse’s molar to sequence his DNA.
Writing inwards its blog, Te Papa said DNA was ofttimes amend preserved inwards teeth compared amongst other parts of the skeleton.
A squad from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science has taken on the project, as well as volition occupation a 60mg slice of Phar Lap’s tooth to unravel his genetics.
The deoxyribonucleic acid extraction from Phar Lap’s molar volition hold upwards performed at the Australian Centre for Ancient deoxyribonucleic acid (ACAD), at the University of Adelaide, earlier beingness analysed at the University of Sydney, out of “scientific curiosity”, team leader Dr Natasha Hamilton said.
Te Papa Conservator Robert Clendon had to take Phar Lap’s skull from the residue of his skeleton, earlier extracting i of his incisor teeth.
Then, Te Papa’s genetics researcher Lara Shepherd used a dremel to cutting a slice from the bottom of the tooth. The incisor sits deeply inside the jaw, then the cutting is non visible when the molar is replaced. The slice removed has been sent to the researchers inwards Australia, who volition endeavor to extract deoxyribonucleic acid from it.
Te Papa said deoxyribonucleic acid has been successfully extracted from other long-dead specimens inwards its natural history collection, including moa as well as other lately extinct animals.
“The occupation of so-called ‘ancient DNA’ methodologies has dice increasingly commonplace, every bit it provides only about other tool to investigate the biodiversity treasure trove represented past times natural history collections. Te Papa itself is moving towards having its ain ancient deoxyribonucleic acid facilities,” the museum said.
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