Since 1990, when Michael Crighton’s blockbuster “Jurassic Park” was first published—then brought to life on the big screen by Steven Spielberg in 1993—the prospect of cloning dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals such as woolly mammoths has captured our collective imagination. Although heavily fictionalized, Crighton’s story was based on actual work being done in the fledgling field of ancient DNA at the time, which began with the first study of DNA isolated from the remains of animals that used to be alive, which was published in the scientific journal Nature in 1984.
Dr. Beth Shapiro, herself a pioneer in the field of ancient DNA, will deliver the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation on Sept. 22 to kick off the 10-day Flagstaff Festival of Science.
In the latest Festival Insights Blog written by Kerry Bennett, Shapiro describes her research, passion for conservation, and advice for young, aspiring Flagstaff scientists!
“It’s really cool to investigate the DNA of an animal that’s thousands of years old, and to think about whether modern technology might be able to bring it back.” But what’s even more exciting and meaningful to Shapiro, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is using this same biotechnology to introduce ancient traits—those discovered while mining the genomes of long-dead species—into living species to help make them more resilient to climate change.
Audiences have the chance to learn from Shapiro on Sept. 22 at the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation in NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium. Free tickets are now available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Using the button below, reserve your ticket and join us for the 34th year of the Flagstaff Festival of Science!
|
